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according to the celebrated Ernest Renan (La vie de Jesus,193ch. vi), signifies “Baptists.” They practised baptism, and like the old Hassayi (Essenians, or al-Chassaïtes) and Ibionayi (Ebionites) led an austere life. Considering the fact that their founder, Budasp, was a Chaldean sage, the true orthography of their name would be “Saha’ï, i.e. “Dyers” or “Baptists.” A famous Chaldean or Assyrian Catholicos of the fourth century, Mar Shimon, was called “Bar Saba’ï,” “Son of the Dyers.” Probably his family belonged to the Sabin religion.The Quran writesthis name “Sābi’īn” with the hamza vowel instead of ain as it is in the original Aramaic “Sābā ،ī.” I am cognisant, however, of other interpretations placed on the name “Sabian”: some authors suppose it to be derived from “sābi ،,” the son of Sheth, and others from the Hebrew “Sabā,”which means “army,” because they used to have a kind ofspecial devotion to the stars as the host of heaven. Although they have nothing in common with the Christian Churches, except their peculiar “Sab’utha,” or Baptism, they are wrongly called “the Christians of St. John -Baptist (pbuh) .” The Quran, as usual, writes all foreign names as the Arabs pronounced them [1] .An extensive and deep research in the religion of the Sabians, who had almost overrun the Arab nation long before the light of Islam shone with the appearance of the Holy Apostle of Allah, will show us several truths. There were three forms of baptism practised by the Jews, the Sabians, and the Christians. The Jewish baptism, which had no origin in their sacred books, was invented chiefly for the proselytes. Each religion had its definite baptismal formula and a special ritual. The Jewish “kohen” (priest)[1] Quran, 3:67-68. Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to Allah (which is Islam), and he joined not gods with Allah. Without doubt, among men, the nearest of kin to Abraham, are those who follow him, as are also this Messenger and those who believe: And Allah is the Protector of those who have faith.” (Editors).