Muslims hold that their Faith came direct from heaven. The Qur'an and all their tenets were sent down by Gabriel from God himself to Muhammad. Much
of their faith is also built upon Tradition handed down by the Prophet's followers. But the Shi'ite differ from the Sunni as to much that is told us by
Tradition; and the Author, therefore, has based his arguments mainly on the Qur'an which is accepted as divine by every Muslim, and on such tradition as is comfortable
thereto. As for the Qur'an, it is held to be of eternal origin, recorded in heaven, and lying as it does there upon the "Preserved Table" (Surah Ixxxv. 21).1
Thus God alone is held to be the "Source" of Islam; and if so, then all effort to find a human origin for any part of it must be in vain. Now, if we can trace the
teaching of any part of it, to an earthly Source, or to human systems existing previous to the Prophet's age, then Islam at once falls to the ground.