The Sabians are a sect of Christianity or Judaism.
Professor Sinasi Gunduz concludes that the Sabians of the Koran as described by the early Moslem writers (before 832-833 AD) were of a monotheistic belief system which resemble Judaism, Christianity and Magianism and were located in Iraq around the areas of Mosul and Kutha. When Professor Gunduz compares these writer’s statements with the belief system of the Mandaeans ---many--- many ---many--similarities are arrive at.
REFERENCE: Sinasi Gunduz The Knowledge of Life Journal of Semitic Studies1984 pages 23-27
The term Sabians of Harran only appears in the late 9th century. Before this date they were referred to only as Chaldeans or Harrians or Nabataeans. The later Moslem writers describe (after the Caliph al-Mamun THE DATE 832-833 AD) describe these Sabians as people who worship planets, idols, stars, and are located in the city of Harran. The Harrians adopted the name Sabians for two reasons. The first it was the Harrians who wanted to be protected from Islam because the Harrians believed in pagan rituals including HUMAN SACRIFICE. Reason two is that they were active in politics (unlike the Mandaeans) and were known to the courts of Baghdad. Thus they were able to keep portraying the lie of being the Sabians of the Koran. Yet the true Sabians were never forgotten. At the same time the Arab writers wrote of the Sabians of Haran they also referred to a second set of Sabians by various names and set them to live in Iraq as monotheist with a book and prophets.
THE ARAB WRITERS AFTER 832 TO 833 AD WROTE
Ahmad ibn al-Tayyib (D.899 AD) is quoted in books by the authors al-Maqdisi (d. 950 AD) and Ibn al-Nadim ---the source was probably from his book (al-Thyyib) titled Kitab Risalatih Fi Wasf Madhaib al-Sabiu’in. Al-Tayyib wrote:
The Harrians are from the city of Haran and describes their worship of planets and rites. Al-Tayyib gave a lot of information about the Harrians in the theology, gods, fasting, sacrifices, prayers, and festivals. He also mentions a book described to him by al-Kindi (his teacher) used by the Harrians in which there is a section on Hermes and the Unity of God, which Hermes had written for his son.
Ibn Ishun al-Harrani al-Qadi (d.912 AD) is quoted by al-Masudi:
He used only the name Harrians and describes them as planet worshippers and idols worshippers.
Abu Ishaq al-Farasi al-Istakhri (d. 915- 919 AD) wrote:
Harran is called as the City of the Sabians and states that there are 17 holy places there. He also mentions a hill dedicated to the prophet Abraham where the Sabians pray.
Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn al-Tabari (lived 838-922) is one of the earliest sources for commentary on the Quran and the history if Islam.
In his commentary book on the Quran he examines the etymology of the word sabiun and is the first to give the meaning of sabi as someone who takes on a new religion other than his own.
Yet in his book of the history of Islam he states that the word sabi is a personal name derived from the of Lamech, the father of Noah and the Sabians took their name from Lemach . Al-Tabari also is the first to use the word sabians for idolaters in general. He also is the first to claim that Budasab (Buddah ) called his people to the religion of the Sabians and that Bishtasb and his father Luhrsab, the rulers of Persia after Kaykhusraw embraced the religion of the Sabians until Sami and Zoroaster came to Bishtab with their beliefs.
Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Radi (d. 923 AD) was a famous chemist and physician is the first to mention there are now two Sabians. He wrote:
The Sabians of Harran and the kimariyyun. They are different Sabians and the latter opposes the religion of the Harrians. AL- Radi is quoted by al-Masudi from al-Radi’s book Al-Mansuri.
Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Husayn al-Masudi (d. 957 AD) is the first to do an in dept study of the Sabians.
He uses the term sabium to include all religious sects from China to Egypt and from Syria to Egypt. He states the Sabians are star- worshippers. He is especially interested in the Sabians of Haran and describes their beliefs, rites, and rituals. He made a visit to Harran in 943 AD and saw the last Harranian temple named mughallitiya in Bab al-Rika. He wrote of the words Plato above the gates to Harran and spoke to a number of learned men in the Harranian religion. He also mentions that the kaldaniyyun who pray to the north and live in lower Iraq between Wasit and Basra. He says these people are opposed to the Harranians.
Hamzah al-Isfahani (d.961) wrote
"Today (10 th century AD) their descendants live in the city of Harran and Ruha (modern Urfa). They gave up this name Chaldaeans from the time of the caliph al-Mamun and adopted the name sabiun"
Ibn al-Nadim (d. 987 AD) wrote in his book Al-Fihrist an account of al-Mamun encounter with the Harrians. This account which was written by Abu Yusuf Isha al-Quatiyi unfortunately no longer exists. Ibn al-Nadim wrote:
” Abu Yusuf Isha al-Qatiyi, the Christian, said in his book on the investigation of the school of thought of the Harnaniyun, who are known in our times as the Sabians (al- Sabah) that at the end of his life (days) al-Mamun journeyed through the regions of Mudar, heading towards the Byzantine country for a raid. The people met him and prayed for him. Among them were a group of the Harnaniyun whose mode of dress was wearing of short gowns and who had long hair with side bands (ringlets) like the long hair of Qurrah, the grandfather of Sinan ibn Thabit. Al-Mamum found fault with their dress saying to them, ‘which of the wubject people are you?’ They said ‘we are the Harnaniyah. He said ‘Are you Chrisitnas’ They replied No. Then he said are you Jes. No they said. He inquired are you Magians? They answered no. So he said to them have you a book or prohet . When they stammered in reply he said to them: Then you are unbelievers the slaves of idols, Ashab al Ras, who lived during the days of my father al-Rasid! As far as you are concerned it is legitimate to shed your blood as there is no direct established for you as subjects ………. As you do not belong to one or other of these groups now chose one of two alternatives: Either embrace the religion of Islam or else one of those religions which Allah mentioned in His book. Otherwise I will slay you to the last man. I am going to grant you a delay until I return from the journey of mine’ …..Then he (the shaykh ) said to them(the Harnaniyun) ‘When al-Mamun returns from his journey say to him ‘We are Sabians (Sabiun) for this is the name of the religion which Allah may his name be exalted mentioned in the Quran. Profess this and you shall be saved by this.’ The date when al-Mamun returned through the lands was 8333 AD.
Abu Abd Allah Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khawarizmi (d. 980-981 AD) wrote:
"Their rmembers live in Harran and Iraq. They adopted the name sabium at the time of the caliph al-Mamun." He also states that the real Sabians are a group of Christians.
Abd al-Qahir al-Baghdadi (d. 1037) divides the Sabians into two groups—the Sabians of Harran and true Sabians of Wasit
.Abu al-Rayhan Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Biruni ( lived 972 to 1048) also divides the Sabians into two groups . He writes that the first group are the Harrians from the city of Harran and the other group is at Wasit in Sawad al-Iraq . He states that the ones in Iraq are the true Sabians
Al-Burni (about 1050- AD) writes:
“This sect (al-Harraniyyun) is much more known by the name the Sabians than the others (who live in Wasit and vicinity) although they themselves did not adlopt this name before 228 AH under Abbasid rule, solely for the purpose of being reckoned among those from whom the duties of the Dhimm are accepted and towards whom the laws of Dhimma are observed. Before that time they were called heathens, idolaters, and Harrians.”
Abu Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Hazan al-Qurtubi (lived 994 - 1063) states:
that the Sabians are star and idol worshippers. He also includes a new idea that the religion of the Sabians was ancient until a group fabricated stories about planet worship. That is why God sent Mohammed and Islam to change the religion back to the way it was before the fabrication.
Abu al-Qasim Said ibn Said al-Andalusi (d. 1070 AD) says the Sabians are idol worshippers. But he also mentions there was a former Sabian religion.
Abu al-Fath Muhammad ibn Abd al-Karim al-Shahrastani (lived from 1086 to1153) writes in his book on comparative religions:
‘there are two Sabians ---the ancient first Sabians and the Harrians’.
From here on most of the Arab writers write that the Sabians are from Harran and are idol worshippers. The true Sabians of lower Iraq area are referred to by a variety of names.
REFERENCE: Sinasi Gunduz The Knowledge of Life Journal of Semitic Studies 1984pages 28-52
IN CONCLUSION: The Sabians are mention by contemporaries of Mohammed in the terms that Mohammed was a Sabian. Until 832-833 AD there is only one Sabian group named with Sabium referred to as those who immerse in water. These Sabians live in Iraq with a monotheistic religion that resembles Judaism and Christianity. They have prophets and religious scriptures. Mohammed wrote of these Sabians to be included in the Koran. It is only after the cut off date832-833 that the term and definition for sabium changes. This is directly influenced by the propaganda of the Harrians who took the name Sabians. After 832-833 AD the definition is given for the word sabium. The word now no longer means to immerse in water but to convert from one religion to another. At the same time the Harrians are now calling themselves Sabians. The Sabians of Harran are defined as idol worshippers and the term Sabians is now being used to include a wide variety of religions. There is still mention of another Sabian sect - the true/ ancient/ first Sabians in Iraq that wash themselves with water. We also know that the word for sabium is taken directly from the Mandaic who changed the root verb from Syraic. In conclusion there can be no doubt that the true –original—and only Sabians (Sabeans) of the Koran are the Mandaeans.
