The term ‘al-S bi ’n,’ as literally employed in the Qur’ nic commentaries, denotes “peoples who shift from one religion to another” or “peoples who take on a new religion other than their own.” This term is the plural of s b ’ and it derives from the root sab , which signifies “turn to” or “lean towards to.” The term al-S bi ’n as applied in the Qur’ n indicates various technical meanings since almost all commentators of the Qur’ n and the earliest scholars have left the identification of al-S bi ’n vague. Such a vague identification is plausible since al-S bi ’n is represented by a conglomerate of various views comprising remnants of sects who were oriented to cultic practices, ancient heathen sects of several nationalities, namely Greeks, Persians and Indians and sects who were Neo-Platonic in their origin and character. This paper thus has a distinct purpose. It attemps to exhibit the features of the Sabians as perceived and conceived by the Quranic Commentators, Theologians and Jurists. It is hoped that the paper will provide a preliminary yet clear understanding of the Sabians as interpreted by them.
Source: World Journal of Islamic History and Civilization
Click here to read more.