Who is the Mandean? (Translated in English)

Mandaean Sabians

Mandaeands Sabians

"Sabian" is a word derived from the Aramaic-Mandic verb "Saba" which means "baptised" or "dyed", "immersed in water". "Mandaeans" is derived from "menda" which means in the mandiac language "knowledge". Thus, "Mandaean Sabians" means those who are baptised and who know the religion of God.

1. Aspects of the Mandaean Religiona-Monotheismb-Baptismc-Prayingd-Fastinge-Alms-giving

2. Beliefs and prophets:Mandaean Sabians believe in God and His Monotheism. God is called in their holy book and other religious sources, The Great Life or The Eternal Life. Also, they believe that Adam (God bless his name) was their first prophet and teacher. Their second prophet was sheet who is named "shetel" in Mandaiac; followed by Sam bin Noah and Yahya bin Zekaria (God bless their names)

3 Holy Books:

Mandaean Sabians have many holy books:a-Ginza Raba(The Great Treasure): which contains the books of Adam, Sheet and Sam. It consists of 600 pages and falls into two parts:

Part one: from the right hand, includes the book of Genesis; the teachings of the Great Life; the ever lasting struggle between Good and Evil, Light and Darkness. It relates details of how the "Soul" came down into Adam's body. The book contains prayers to the Creator, and religious and theological rules.

Part two: from the left-hand deals with the Soul, reward and punishment.

b-Drasha id Yahia:It includes the teachings and wise sayings of the prophet Yehia bin Zekaria.
c-The book of souls:telling the story of how the soul descended into Adam's body.
d-Adam' Boghra (body):an explanation of Adam's body.
e-The Kilesta:Hymns of marriage rituals
f-Niani:Book of prayers
Seven- Various Booklets

4. The language:

The Mandiac language is dialect of the Eastern Aramic language, which is derived from the Semitic family of languages. All religious manuscripts concerning rites were written in this language. The mandaeans believe that God taught Adam His knowledge. Adam, therefor knew his God and himself, and began to read the alphabet (Aa, ba, ka, da…). His select sons (Adam's) and his descendants knew it. The Mandaean alphabet consist of 24 letters starting with "alef" and ending with it because the Mandaeans believe that all things return to their origins and beginnings.

5. Rituals:

The mandaeans direct their faces northwards while practicing their religious rites because the world of Light (paradise) lies in that sacred place of the universe to which souls go when the journey of life ends. There they enjoy immortality alongside their God. Besides, the Mandaean religion recommends alms giving (moral and material). It recommends also the great Fasting, which means the abstinence from anything that distorts man's relation with his God; while the small Fasting means abstinence from slaughtering animals and eating meat at certain days of the year. This religion stresses on the importance of marriage (including the marriage of the clergymen). Marriage rites are performed by the clergyman, attended by witnesses and a crowd of people in a happy festival. The rituals stress the sacredness of marriage. The rituals summed up as follows:a- Baptism:The purpose is to purify the couple physically and spiritually while they are dressed in the Resta, ....the white religious clothes.b- Taking the oath before their Lord, angles and attending people.c- Complimentary rites symbolising partnership in a new house; fertility and breeding or regeneration.

6. Prohibition in Mandaeasim:

Mandaeansim shares other celestial religions in identifying and diagnosing many prohibitions. This religion takes scientific and deep human dimensions in setting forth these commandments; they are:1-Blasphemy 2-Murder 3- Adultery 4-Stealing 5-Telling lies 6-False testimony 7-Disloyalty and dishonesty 8-Lust 9-Magic and witchcraft 10-Circumcision 11-Alcoholic drinks 12-Usury 13-Crying over the dead 14-Eating dead animals, pregnant animals or animals attacked by other furious animals and blood 15-Divorce (save in some exceptional cases) 16-Suicide and abortion 17-Self-torturing and body-hurting.

7. Women in the Mandaean Religion:

The Mandaean religion stresses the importance of the active role of women in life since she constitutes half of society. Man and woman are equal creatures in the greatest miracle of heavenly creation. All holy books including the Ginza Raba emphasise that the Great Creator created all creatures. He created Adam and Eve by his Power, from clay. The woman is a symbol of fertility, regeneration and the cornerstone of the family and its happiness.



8. Religious feats:

Mandaeans have four feasts:a- The Great Feast (Dihwa Raba) and lasts two days.b- The Short Feast (Dihwa Hnina) and lasts one day. c- The feast of Creation (Bronaia) and lasts five days.d- Feast of Golden Baptism (Dihwa id Dimana) one day.

Afaq Mindala Magazin