Zāl (Persian: زال, pronounced [zɒːl]), alternatively spelled as Zaal,[citation needed] is a legendary Iranian king from Sistan,[1] and is recognized as one of the greatest warriors of the Shahnameh epic.

[1] Zāl came from a family whose members were legendary warriors, who – for generations – served in the Persian army as great generals.

[3] Zāl was the son of Sām and the grandson of Nariman, both heroes of ancient Persia and protectors of "Land of Iran" (Iran-zamin).

[1][3] The mythical simurgh (a very large and wise bird which darkens the sky when flying, said to be related to the phoenix) found the baby and took him to her nest.

[1] After some time, passing caravans noticed a noble young man in the bird's nest, with a mountain of silver on his chest and a reed for a waist.

Rumor of this remarkable presence finally reached Sam, who was encouraged by his wise men to hasten to the scene.

Setting forth on a royal progress to view his eastern provinces, Zal at every stage held court and called for wine, harp, and minstrelsy.

In Kabul, Mehrab, a vassal king descended from the evil Zahhak, paid homage with gifts of horses and slaves.

Zal accordingly wrote a letter to his father and requested him to agree to his marriage, reminding him of the oath he had made to fulfill all his wishes.

Sam and the Mubeds, knowing that Rudabeh's father, chief of Kabul, was Babylonian from the family of Zahhak, did not approve of the marriage.

Zal used one of the feathers he received from the simurgh when his wife Rudabeh was in a difficult labor, and it looked like she would lose her life as well as the unborn baby.

When Rostam returned, grievously wounded, Zal healed him and summoned the Simurgh, to find out a way to defeat Esfandiyar.