Abdullah Ibn Saba (ca. 600 CE), also known as Ibn Sauda (because his mother was a black Ethiopian), is an allegedly historical person whom some Wahhabi Sunnis state was a Jewish convert that laid the foundation for the later sect of the Shiites
Abdullah ibn Saba was originally from the city of Sana`a in Yemen. He was Jewish Rabbi 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 ibn Abi Talib had assumed power, Ibn Saba became an adherent of the emerging Shi'ite persuasion, and a strong supporter of Ali.He is the first one who introduced the concept of imamat e 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.[1] 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).
After Ali's assassination Abdullah Ibn Saba is said to have taught that Ali was not dead but alive, and had never been killed; that a part of the Deity was hidden in him; and that after a certain time he would return to fill the earth with justice. Till then the divine character of Ali was to remain hidden in the Imams, who temporarily filled his place. It is easy to see that the whole idea rests on that of the Messiah in combination with the legend of Elijah the prophet[2].
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdullah_Ibn_Saba
