Nossairians

Nossairians

is the name of a particular sect of Shiites (q.v.), or followers of Ali, among the Mussulmans, who believe that the divinity has been joined and united with some of their prophets, particularly Ali and Mohammed ben-Hanisiah, one of his sons; for these sectaries hold that the divine and human nature may be united in one and the same person. This doctrine is rejected by the other Mussulmans, who reproach the Nossairians with having borrowed it from the books of the Christians. The Arabic term Nossairiun given to these sectarists signifies Nazareans, a name given to those Christians who blended the observance of Judaism with the laws and principles of Christianity. See Broughton, Hist. of Religions, s.v.