Sabian

views updated Jun 11 2018

Sa·bi·an / ˈsābēən/ • adj. of or relating to a non-Muslim sect classed in the Koran with Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians as having a faith revealed by the true God. It is not known who the original Sabians were, but the name was adopted by some groups in order to escape religious persecution by Muslims.• n. a member of this sect.

Sabian

views updated Jun 27 2018

Sabian of or relating to a non-Muslim sect classed in the Koran with Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians as having a faith revealed by the true God. It is not known who the original Sabians were, but the name was adopted by some groups in order to escape religious persecution by Muslims; it is said by some Arabic writers that the Sabians were professedly Christian, but secretly worshippers of the stars, the etymology of Sabian being presumed to be Hebrew ṣābā' ‘hosts (of heaven)’ (see Sabaism).