ASUTA
The Journal for the Study and Research into the
Mandaean Culture, Religion, and Language.

       Volume 5                                  Special Issue                                           Online edition

Sabians,
Sabaeans, or Sabeans

       RESEARCH DONE BY AJAE                                                              COPYRIGHT 2000

Sabaeans of Harran

The city of Harran was founded around 2000 BC as a merchant outpost of Ur, situated on the major trade route across northern Mesopotamia (42). The name comes from the Sumerian and Akkadian "Harran-U", meaning "journey", "caravan", or "crossroad" (43).

Figure #8
Harran

For centuries it was a prominent Assyrian city, known for its Temple of Sin, the Moon God (44).

Figure #10
Harran

Figure #9
Harran

The theology of the Harranians can be divided into three periods. The first is the Assyrian-Babylonian period from about 2000 BC up to the beginning of the Christian era.  During this time Sin was the supreme deity. The second period can be noted as being from the beginning of the Christian era to the Islamic period. During this time the Harranians still clung to their belief in Sin and appear to have expanded into various sects.  The third period begins in the 10th century AD.  This time period gives us a wealth of information on the Harranians.  Not only do the Harranians retain Sin, but also they now claim to have been descended of Abraham and note Adam among their ancestors. (45)

The Assyrian Babylonian Period

The religion of the ancient Mesopotamian people left its mark on the entire Middle East. The literature, cosmogony and rituals influenced the major religious ideas today of Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition. Archaeologists are reconstructing the religious world of Mesopotamia through the ancient these ancient temples, ziggurats, and the cuneiform writings of hymns, myths, lamentations, and incantations.

Figure #11

The Ziggurat of Nannar and the Temple of Ningal

Each city housed a temple that was the seat of a major god in the Mesopotamian pantheon.  Some of these temples evolved into massive ziggurats. These gods controlled the powerful forces, which often dictated the fate of all humans. The priesthood in the beginning had the duty to please the town's patron.  That job soon passed to the secular kings.  Yet the priesthood did manage to hold great authority through the interpretation of omens and dreams. (46) Although the gods preferred justice and mercy, they also created evil and misfortune. A mortal could do about it, the best one could do in times of duress would be to "plead, lament and wail, tearfully confessing his sins and failings." Man was created as a tool for the use of the gods and at the end of everyone's life, lay the underworld, a gloomy dreary place full of shadows. (47)

Figure #12

The Ziggurat of Nannar

The temple was very simple, rectangular in shape with a brick alter called a “cella”. (48) Priests, priestesses, musicians, singers, and castrates staffed the temple. On a daily basis various public rituals, food sacrifices, and libations took place there.  In addition there were many monthly and annual celebrations.

Figure #13

Note the stand to the left side with the crescent symbol on top—the crescent is symbolic of Sin

Harran, as well as Ur, was the center of Sin, the moon god. The status of Sin was so great that from 1900 BC to 900 BC his name is witness to the forging of international treaties as the guarantor of the word of kings. Sin is also called Nanna(or Nanna-Sien).  Sin is represented by either a bull or as a old man with a lapis lazuli beard with a cap on which there are bull’s horns.  Sin is conceived when his father Enil (god of the air) rapes Ninlil (Ningal). (49)

Figure #14

(Sin) Nannar with the 'three muses' and Eternally Fruiting Orb - Ur-Nammu

In the inscriptions of Nabonidus from Harran, we learn that the children of Sin, Ishtar (Inanna) goddess of love and war and Shamash (Utu) god of the Sun were worshipped as well.  But these were not the only deities worshipped at Harran. Ningal, Nusku, and Sadarnunna as well as the lesser gods of Nabo Adai, Ter, Šer, and Allai were all worshipped to some degree. (50)

Figure #15

Symbol of Sin

Shalmanester of Assyria restored the temple at Haran, called e-hul-hul, in the 9th century BC, and again by Asshurbanipal. About 550 BC, Nabonidus the last king of Babylon, who originated from Harran, rebuilt the temple of Sin as directed by a dream. His mother was high priestess at Harran and his daughter at Ur. (51)

Figure #16

Stele of Nabonidus

The Beginning of the Christian era to the Islamic period

During this period Sin remains the most important figure in Harranian life.  A trinity is developed with Sin, Ishtar and Shamash.  They are represented as a crescent with two stars.   Roman coins of the period show Harranian influence.

Figure #17

Crescent of Harran coin

The importance of the temple of Sin is noted by various references. In 217 AD Emperor Caracala was killed after he was returning from visiting the temple of the moon god in Harran.  In 363 AD Emperor Julian paid his respects to the temple of Sin. In the Doctrine of Addai, the author writes of the moon god at Harran. Jacob of Searug also writes of the god Sin, the moon god of Harran. (52) The Harranians are also heavily influence during this period by the Christians and other religious groups, including those of the baptizing sects, which would included the Mandaeans. After the conquests of Alexander, Harran came to be a center of intellectual and religious activity, which evolved into a philosophical tradition centered on Hermes Trismegistus.  (53) At one time Hermes Trismegistus was thought to be an Egyptian priest who lied in very ancient times and wrote a series of magical books which became known as Hermetic literature.  In reality Hermetic literature, is a series of books written by various authors that contained a mixture of popular Greek philosophy, Platonism, and Stoicism that were influenced by Jewish and Persian religious theology. (54)

But still at this time there is no indication of a traditional history with Abraham or Adam or a theology including these two figures being practiced by the Harranians.

Figure #18

HADRIAN, AD 117-138

Islamic Period

The Harranians came under Islamic rule about 639 AD.  The Harranians were described as Nabataeans pagans and Greek immigrants. The Harranians made calculated moves and advanced into politics.  They made peace with the Muslims and began to form ties with them.  The fortunes of the Umayyad Dynasty were due to the Harranian’s political and military force. In fact the Caliph Marwan (744-750 AD) made Harran his home and moved the Umayyad Empire from Damascus to Harran. Then in 830 AD the Caliph al-Ma’mun demanded that the pagans of Harran either change religions or accept death.  They chose to be identified with the “Sabians”.  This began one of the most successful “con jobs” in history that still permeates our beliefs of the Harranians even today. They also were able to have the School of Philosophy and Medicine moved from Alexandria to Harran. In addition a number of famous scholars are said to have come from Harran. (55)

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 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. (56)

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. “(57)

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. (58)


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. This is the famous story of how the Harranians got their title – Sabaeans of Harran- 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." (59)

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 / Iran area 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 Qu’ran. It is only after the cut off date of 832-833 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 Sabaeans. The Sabaeans 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 and Iran area 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.  

I will pick more up on the Sabians of the Qu’ran in that section.  Now I would like to go into the Sabaeans of Moses Maimonides and how much of their material is Mandaean and how much is the ancient Harranian theology.

The True Sabians

The Sabaean Religious Order

The Sabian Assembly

The Sabeans of the Old Testament

The Sabaeans of the Bahai Writings

The Sabaeans of Harran

The Sabaeans of the Moses Maimonides writings

The Sabians of the Koran

Final Thought

References

Figures