'''Abdullah Ibn Sabason of Sheba''' (ca. 600 CE), also known as '''Ibn Sauda[[Sawda]]''' (because after his mother ) was probably one of the [[Ansar]] [[Sabaeans]] and a black Ethiopianleader of the [[Noahism|Sebo'un]] after Muhammad (PBUH), is historical figure whom some Sunnis state who were opposed to the reformation of Petrine [[Sabi'ism]] by the Caliphate into Imperial Islam. His stance was a Jewish convert that laid later used as the foundation for the later sect of the Shiites, although this is disputed.
==Life==
Abdullah ibn Saba was originally from the city of [[Sana`a]] in [[Yemen]]. He was [[Jewish]] [[Rabbi]] (his mother was a black Ethiopian Jewess) who claimed a conversion to [[Islam]] during the caliphate of [[`Uthman]]. He moved to [[Kufa]] and started adversely criticizing the Calif's administration. Thence he went to Egypt, where he founded an antiothmanian sect, to promote the interests of Ali. On account of his learning he obtained great influence there, and formulated the doctrine that, just as every prophet had an assistant who afterward succeeded him, [[Muhammad]]'s vizier was Ali, who had therefore been kept out of the califate by deceit. He was able to promote a dissatisfaction with Uthman's government among his followers.
Tradition relates that when [[Ali|Ali ibn Abi Talib]] had assumed power, Ibn Saba became an adherent of the emerging [[Shi'ite]] persuasion, and a strong supporter of Ali. He called for the divinity of `Ali. He initially did not openly preach these beliefs, but he later abandoned his secret and started a vigorous campaign.<ref>Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 25, p. 286</ref> However, when Ibn Saba claimed that Ali is himself God by addressing him with the words, "Thou art Thou!", Ali declared him a heretic and burned some of his followers to the stake and expelled him to [[Madain]] (a city with Persian population).
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[[Category:History of NoahidismNoahism]][[Category:Sabaeans]]
