Irfan

The symbol of Irfan

Irfan is a monotheistic religion in Borea which teaches that there is only one God (Behestee-Alef) and the Ebteda-Alef is his messenger. It is the world's X-largest religion with over XX followers, most commonly known as Irfanics. Irfanics make up a majority of the population in XX countries. Irfan teaches that God is merciful, all-powerful, transcendent and has guided humankind through prophets, revealed scriptures and natural signs. The primary scriptures of Islam are the Niayesh, viewed by Irfanics as the verbatim word of God, and the teachings and normative example (called the E'lam, composed of accounts called Esbat) of the Ebteda-Alef and 12 Ahl-Bar.

The cornerstone to Irfan is the role of the Eternal Recurrence, in that existence has taken form multiple times and each cycle of life has ended with a great deluge, to be reformed by God. It is the responsibility of all humans to embrace the revelations of God to abide by God's teachings to avert the deluge and secure salvation. Irfanics believe that Irfan is the complete and universal version of a primordial faith that has been revealed in each cycle by prophets and messengers. Irfanics consider the Niayesh in its original Pasdani to be the unaltered and final revelation of God. Irfan teaches a final judgment with the righteous rewarded earth-bound paradise and salvation from the deluge. Religious concepts and practices include the Three Acts of Intercession, which are obligatory acts of worship, and following Irfanic law (Esafkar), which touches on virtually every aspect of life and society, from banking and welfare to women and the environment. The cities of Javanrud, Ardakan and Namin are home to the three holiest sites in Irfan.

Aside from the theological narrative, Irfan is historically believed to have originated in the early 8th century CE in Namin. Following the death of the Ebteda-Alef in 841 CE, the religion fell under the oppression of local Pasdani pagan rulers, but saw a resurgence in 860 CE and by the late 9th century, the Second Dominion of Heaven extended from the Siphrian plains in the west to the slopes of the Narmadi foothills in Eastern Borea. The Irfanic Golden Age refers to the period traditionally dated from the 9th century to the 14th century, during the Bavarid Dominion of Heaven, when much of the historic Irfanic world was experiencing a scientific, economic and cultural flourishing.The expansion of the Irfanic world involved various Dominions, such as the Sanzarid Empire, traders and conversion to Irfan by missionary activities (Amoozaneedan).

Most Irfanics are of one of two denominations; Asha (75–80%) or Hasawi (20–25%). About XX% of Irfanics live in the Union of Nautasian Irfanic Republics, the largest Irfanic-majority country, 51% of Muslims live in Nautasia, the largest population of Muslims in the world and the dominant religion. Other communities exist in eastern Borea, in Kadaria and Narmada.

Etymology and meaning

Irfan (Pasdani: عرفان, Erfān) is a verbal noun which directly translates into "to learn" or "gain knowledge." Within Irfanic texts, the word Erfān is used to stress the necessity of becoming aware of God through the Niayesh and the corresponding E'lam. In one such verse the Niayesh states, "to learn, is to gain knowledge of those who came before and failed God, to learn of them is to learn of the means of salvation." In other verses, Irfan is connected to religion, "rejoice, for we are blessed with Irfan, which blesses us our religion." In Pasdani, Erfān may also be used to describe "wise man/wise men", this is collaborated by verse, with one saying, "through Irfan, we all become Irfani and righteousness does follow."