Unveiling the Sabians: A Ground-Breaking Discovery from the Quran-Alone Methodology
By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam
3 May 2025
Introduction
For centuries, scholars and commentators have debated the identity of the Sabians in a vague or ambiguous manner. Traditional interpretations have suggested that they could be an ancient religious group, sometimes associated with the Mandaeans or other pre-Islamic sects. However, many of these interpretations appear speculative and rely heavily on external sources that are not directly aligned with the Quranic text. In this article, we explore a fresh approach based on the Quran alone, shedding light on the true identity of the Sabians as described in the Quran.
The Scholars’ Approach to Identifying the Sabians
Historically, Islamic scholars have attempted to define the Sabians using various sources, often looking to external historical references or previous religious traditions. Some scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir proposed that the Sabians were a distinct group of monotheists, possibly related to the Mandaeans, while others considered them to be astral worshippers or early Christians. Despite these various theories, the exact identity of the Sabians has remained elusive.
• Al-Tabari references the Sabians as followers of a faith that did not conform strictly to Judaism or Christianity but worshipped God through the stars, a view that aligns with the idea of astral worship.
• Ibn Kathir also connected the Sabians to star worshippers, emphasizing their intermediate position between the Jews and the Christians.
• Modern scholars, influenced by earlier classical interpretations, have often cited the Mandaeans, who were known for their gnostic beliefs and their reverence for light and water, as the potential heirs to the ancient Sabian tradition.
However, all these interpretations face a common challenge: none of these theories are firmly grounded in the Quran itself. The Quran’s mention of the Sabians remains elusive, with little direct explanation or description offered within the text.
Rethinking the Sabians: A Quranic Approach
When we turn to the Quran itself, we find a different path. Rather than relying on outside sources or speculative traditions, the Quran provides all the clues we need to understand the identity of the Sabians. The answer lies in the context of Surah Al-Baqarah (2:62), Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:69), and Surah Al-Hajj (22:17), which mention the Sabians alongside the Jews and Christians.
In these verses, we find that the Sabians are listed as one of the People of the Book who are promised salvation if they believe in Allah and the Last Day and perform righteous deeds. This suggests that the Sabians were a group with a faith rooted in monotheism, much like the Jews and Christians.
By closely examining the Quranic text, we can identify that the Sabians were not a group adhering to astral worship or polytheism. Instead, they appear to have been monotheists, believers in Allah, and adherents of Abrahamic principles. The use of the term "Sabians" likely refers to a community of people who had received some form of divine revelation, possibly from an earlier prophet, which could explain their inclusion in the Abrahamic tradition.
Historical Corroboration: The Monotheism of Rahmanan
The story of Rahmanan is pivotal in understanding the monotheistic nature of the Sabians. Historical records, especially those from pre-Islamic Yemen, provide valuable context for interpreting the religious practices of the people of Saba (ancient Yemen). According to archaeological and historical studies, Rahmanan was a term used in ancient Arabian inscriptions to refer to the Lord of Mercy, a concept synonymous with the Merciful God (Ar-Rahman) in Islamic theology.
The connection between the Sabians and Rahmanan supports the theory that they practiced a form of monotheism centred on the worship of a singular divine being, transcending the later introduction of polytheistic practices in the region. Saba, the ancient kingdom in modern-day Yemen, was known for its prosperity, but the people had initially turned to worshipping the sun, as recounted in the Quranic story of the Queen of Sheba (27:23-44). However, this worship was not rooted in a rejection of a singular deity but instead reflected a cultural misunderstanding or distortion of the true monotheism once known to their ancestors.
• The Monotheistic Worship of Rahmanan: In ancient inscriptions from Yemen, references to Rahmanan demonstrate that the people of Saba had a deep-rooted understanding of God's mercy and sovereignty, which was later obscured by sun worship and other polytheistic practices. The term Rahmanan is strikingly similar to the Quranic Ar-Rahman, one of Allah's attributes. This is a crucial link that aligns the Sabians with the worship of a singular, merciful God.
• The Shift to Monotheism: Solomon’s interaction with the people of Sheba, particularly in the Quranic narrative, indicates that their return to monotheism was prompted by his guidance. This aligns with historical records suggesting a transition from polytheism (sun worship) to a more Abrahamic monotheism, marking the conversion of the people of Saba to a form of Islam—the faith of submission to the one true God.
The Sabians as the People of Saba
By piecing together the Quranic evidence and historical context, we can assert that the Sabians were, in fact, the people of Saba who had practised sun worship but eventually embraced monotheism under Solomon's guidance. This transition marked their shift from polytheism to the worship of Allah, a process akin to the journey of many other Abrahamic communities.
• Saba and the Queen of Sheba: The Quran presents the Queen of Sheba as a pivotal figure who, after being confronted with Solomon's wisdom, rejected sun worship and embraced the true faith of Islam—submission to the one true God (27:44). This transformation suggests that the people of Saba followed her lead, thus aligning their faith with monotheism.
• The Quranic Concept of Islam: In the Quran, Islam is not limited to the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) but is the universal message of submission to Allah given to all prophets. This means that Solomon, in his time, was a prophet who conveyed the message of Islam to the people of Saba. Therefore, the Sabians, as monotheistic worshipers of Allah, can be seen as followers of an earlier phase of Islam, akin to the Jews and Christians, who were also recipients of divine guidance.
Final Thoughts: When the Quran Speaks
The insights in this article—like all of my work—are not the product of speculative theology or borrowed traditions, but the result of allowing the Quran to speak on its own terms. The Quran opens itself to those who approach it with humility and sincerity, free of preconceptions. But it remains closed to those who impose inherited frameworks, sectarian biases, or external texts upon it.
In my experience, this Quran-Alone Methodology has led to over a hundred articles, each uncovering a fresh insight. While others continue to circle around inherited interpretations, often repeating the same theological motifs, my approach has consistently yielded new understanding—grounded, verifiable, and coherent. This is not because of any special ability on my part, but because the Quran itself rewards those who listen with respect and patience, rather than dictating to it what it must say.
The case of the Sabians is but one example. Many more lie hidden in plain sight, awaiting only the reader who dares to look with fresh eyes.
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Author’s Note: Readers are encouraged to reflect, question, and engage with the conclusion presented in this article by interacting with the discussion link: https://chatgpt.com/share/6814df83-3854-8006-8449-9ab2a092dd47 that contains the complete process for creating this article. They may share any material findings with a link to their chat. For direct interactions, email me at Naseer.hmed@yahoo.in . This is a living project, and the chat will be updated with anything that merits refinement. Comments posted without validating them with the chat will be ignored.
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A frequent contributor to NewAgeIslam.com, Naseer Ahmed is an Engineering graduate from IIT Kanpur and is an independent IT consultant after having served in both the Public and Private sector in responsible positions for over three decades. He has spent years studying Quran in-depth and made seminal contributions to its interpretation.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/debating-islam/unveiling-sabians-discovery-quran-methodology/d/135412
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