The beliefs of Yazidism are most interesting. I have split it into 'Cosmology', 'Misclassification' and 'Malak Taus'.
Cosmology
*They believe
that Earth is the ‘Pearl of the Universe’ or the ‘Universal Pearl’: both
account for the same thing, in that Earth, of all things in the universe, is
the best. Earth is guarded by seven archangels, the shell to the pearl, as it
were. For a while, though, the Earth was rent with disasters so that it was
barren.
*Superior Archangel, Peacock Angel and Regent of Earth Malak
Taus descended upon Lalish, the place of pilgrimage, and spread his train
feathers to stop the earthquakes, volcanoes and barrenness of Earth. This
allowed Earth to exist and this permitted the creation of Adam from the dust.
*Yazidis believe themselves to be descended from Adam, only.
This would mean that Eve isn’t their ancestor which further means that Yazidis
are free from original sin.
Misclassification
*Now, the universe and the archangels were made from ordinary
matter. Malak Taus, however, was created from God’s illumination. For this
reason, Malak Taus didn’t bow to Adam when commanded by God, because that would
have signified that dust was superior to God’s illumination. For this reason,
Yazidis are described as ‘Satan Worshippers’.
*This isn’t the only misclassification given to Yazidism,
however. They have five daily prayers, much like Islam, so some scholars
classify Yazidism as a branch of Islam. Though, as Yazidis are ethnically
Kurdish and Yazidism holds too many similarities with Yazdanism, I do think
that all evidence points to Yazidism being a branch of Yazdanism. After all,
there are only a few similarities with Islam.
Malak Taus
*Hereditary Emirs are in charge of the Yazidis. They are
descended from Sheik Adi, the 12th century founder of Yazidism and
also Malak Taus incarnate.
*Most interestingly is the belief that Yazidis worship Malak
Taus. This is because they believe the Superior Archangel was given free will,
so the Regent of Earth faces the same challenges as the people of Earth. Also,
the Yazidis believe that God cannot be understood, so they worship the closest
thing to God; this is Malak Taus, not only because the archangel was the only
thing made from God’s illumination but also because the archangel looks after
the Universal Pearl.
Next time, Yazidi Pilgrimage.
