Who are the Sabians of 2:62 ? 5:69

[Dr. Shabbir]

Email from Madinah, by Rabia Al-'Ataibi

Question: Who are the Sabians of 2:62?

Answer: The Sabians = Once a small Monotheistic community that started merging with their environment. In the Judeo-Christian milieu they preferred to announce themselves as ‘Followers of John the Baptist’. They sometimes claimed to follow a way between Judaism and Christianity. In Persia, they subscribed to many views of Zoroastrianism. In Arabia, they joined hands with the ‘Nature-worshipers’ or ‘Star-worshipers’. Mostly living in Arabia, Mesopotamia (Iraq) and Persia, they modified their beliefs most suited to their environment. In some ways, their attitude resembled the modern Agnostics.