Who were the Sabaeans?

[Ruhi_Rose]

With reference to Verse 2:62, can anyone give some details as to who exactly the Sabaeans were?

"Lo! Those who believe (in that which is revealed unto thee, Muhammad), and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabaeans - whoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right - surely their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve."  (2:62)

[Zainab_M]

Sabaeans, who were from Southern Arabia (Yemen region) are originally presumed to be the followers of Prophet Noah.  It's also said that they used to recite the Psalms.  But like Jews and Christians, they too had corrupted their faith very much.   Opinions vary concerning the extent of their deviation.  According to various historians, Sabaeans worshipped the angels.  Some have opined that they were more deviated than the Jews and Christians and could not be recognized as People of the Book.   

Surah 34 which is titled "Saba" (from the word "Saba" in verse 15) implies to the Sabaeans.

Sabaeans are also called the Himyarites or the Yemenites.  They had adopted a sedentary way of life in the Yemen region.  For a long time this region was ruled by Christian clerics followed by secularists called "maliks."   Saba was the name of the biggest and most powerful city of Yemen, and its inhabitants were known as Sabaeans.   This city slowly expanded its political influence to include all the major kingdoms of the south by 300 AD.  Saba and its surrounding areas were rich and fertile.  It was an area of exotic plants, spices and luxury items that gained high prices in commerce all throughout the Mediterranean and Asia.  Its most lucrative export was frankincense.  The Sabaeans were active traders.  They traded across the sea with Africa and India.  And they also traded through land routes with the rest of the Arabian peninsula in the north.  The city of Saba and its environs were also the gateway for exporting and importing goods from and into the rest of the Arabian peninsula .. somewhat like a seaport in modern times. 

Unfortunately by the 6th century, this southern region which included Saba, fell into policital disarray.  It came under pressure by various Jewish and Christian communities.  It was invaded in 520 AD by the Christian state of Ethiopia.

It was into this wealthy but politically anarchic area that Islam would spread from the north a century later.

Regarding verse 2:62,  by the time Islam came to Arabia, most Sabaeans were much deviated from Monotheism.  The reference in verse 2:62 is that those (few) Jews, Christians and Sabaeans who do not follow their corrupted ideologies and are still firmly grounded into Monotheism (Tawheed) will be counted among believers or submitters, that is, same as Muslims.  It also indicates that mere titles do not make people "believers" or "disbelievers."  Instead it's the thought and belief which every individual harbors in their heart and mind that determines who they are and where they stand.  And Allah is fully aware of what is contained within the heart and mind of every individual.

[Ruhi_Rose]

Thanks a lot sis.  It's now a lot clearer.  

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Hummm, right.  Sabaeans of Saba were a part of the ancient Yemeni community.  The Arabian history from this era until it connects with the spread of Islam is very interesting.

[iwan rse]

Sabaeans, who were from Southern Arabia (Yemen region) are originally presumed to be the followers of Prophet Noah.  It's also said that they used to recite the Psalms.  But like Jews and Christians, they too had corrupted their faith very much.   Opinions vary concerning the extent of their deviation.  According to various historians, Sabaeans worshipped the angels.  Some have opined that they were more deviated than the Jews and Christians and could not be recognized as People of the Book.   

Surah 34 which is titled "Saba" (from the word "Saba" in verse 15) implies to the Sabaeans.

Sabaeans are also called the Himyarites or the Yemenites.  They had adopted a sedentary way of life in the Yemen region.  For a long time this region was ruled by Christian clerics followed by secularists called "maliks."   Saba was the name of the biggest and most powerful city of Yemen, and its inhabitants were known as Sabaeans.   This city slowly expanded its political influence to include all the major kingdoms of the south by 300 AD.  Saba and its surrounding areas were rich and fertile.  It was an area of exotic plants, spices and luxury items that gained high prices in commerce all throughout the Mediterranean and Asia.  Its most lucrative export was frankincense.  The Sabaeans were active traders.  They traded across the sea with Africa and India.  And they also traded through land routes with the rest of the Arabian peninsula in the north.  The city of Saba and its environs were also the gateway for exporting and importing goods from and into the rest of the Arabian peninsula .. somewhat like a seaport in modern times. 

Unfortunately by the 6th century, this southern region which included Saba, fell into policital disarray.  It came under pressure by various Jewish and Christian communities.  It was invaded in 520 AD by the Christian state of Ethiopia.

It was into this wealthy but politically anarchic area that Islam would spread from the north a century later.

Regarding verse 2:62,  by the time Islam came to Arabia, most Sabaeans were much deviated from Monotheism.  The reference in verse 2:62 is that those (few) Jews, Christians and Sabaeans who do not follow their corrupted ideologies and are still firmly grounded into Monotheism (Tawheed) will be counted among believers or submitters, that is, same as Muslims.  It also indicates that mere titles do not make people "believers" or "disbelievers."  Instead it's the thought and belief which every individual harbors in their heart and mind that determines who they are and where they stand.  And Allah is fully aware of what is contained within the heart and mind of every individual.

Weird, Sabaean should be follower of Solomon instead noah because queen bilqis of saba is Sulaiman's queen.....

[Zainab_M]

Weird, Sabaean should be follower of Solomon instead noah because queen bilqis of saba is Sulaiman's queen.....

What does it mean by "Sulaiman's queen" ??

[Ruhi_Rose]

Apparently Iwan is influenced by some of those traditional biblical stories that wrongly present the queen of Saba as a lover of Prophet Sulaiman (pbuh).  Nauzbillah.

[Zainab_M]

Yes I thought so too.  That's why it's so hugely important to carefully reflect and analyze with the Quran as our Benchmark prior to accepting any of those traditional stories.

[Ruhi_Rose]

Right Sis, absolutely right.