It therefore behooves every true and earnest Believer, with the utmost diligence to test whether this claim be true or not. If their opponents can bring to light no human Source, they may contend that by admission Islam is indeed divine; but if otherwise, they cannot but perceive what fatal conclusion must be drawn. Let us then test the assertions of those who hold to the existence of human Sources, and see whether any portion of the doctrines and tenets of Islam can be traced to other Faiths or Sources preceding the Prophet's age, or existing at the time.

Some hold that these are its initial Source. When the desire arose in the mind of Muhammad to draw his people from the worship of idols to that of God Almighty; and when he remembered that their forefathers in the days of Abraham believed in the divine Unity; and further that they inherited many of the beliefs and customs of their pious forefathers; he was unwilling to force abandonment of them all, but desired rather to purify their faith, and to maintain such ancient practices as he thought good and reasonable. And so we find this passage in the Qur'an: Who is better than he that resigneth himself to God, and worketh righteousness, and followeth the religion of Abraham the faithful? and truly God took Abraham for his friend (Surah iv. 124). And again: Say, The Lord speaketh truth; follow ye, therefore, the faith of-Abraham the righteous; for he was no idolator (Surah iii. 89). And yet once more: Say, Verily my Lord hath directed me into the right way, the true faith, the religion of righteous Abraham, and he was no idolater (Surah vi. 89).