Hanifism is a word used to describe the Messianic religion of certain Fertile Crescent Baptists (Sabians) sometimes referred to as Abrahamists or Hanafite Christians. Maslama bin Habib and his Banu Hanifa played major roles in the movement. These were the so-called "Paulicians" from whom originates the ancient original [[Johannite tradition]] of Hormuz (Ormus). As PersiansBeing within the Persian cultural sphere centred on Isfahan, their word for Jesus is Ieso and their word for John is Yahia. Persian culture was centred on Isfahan.