But when we find that much of the Qur'an and Tradition has the closest resemblance to the contents of Zoroastrian books, the answer is of no value whatever. On the contrary, the above verse shews, by the admission of the Prophet himself, that he was assisted by this Persian Salman. Hence even from this story it is clear that the Zoroastrian writings formed one of the Sources of Islam.

Before the time of Muhammad, there were a few inquirers from amongst the Arabs who had a strong aversion from idolatry, and who accordingly sought to find relief in a better faith. Amongst the Jews, and possibly from ancient tradition still surviving, it was known in Arabia that Abraham was a worshipper of the One true God. Hence both at Mecca and Medina, and also at Tayif, we find that there were men who, seeking after the truth, had abandoned the worship of idols; and these were called Hanefites.

City	Person
Medina	Abu Ameer
Tayif [Ta'if]	Ammeya
Mecca	Waraca Obeidallah Othman Zeid

The names of six of these are given in the margin, some having also followers of their own. Now we hold that these inquirers, and especially Zeid ibn Amr, had a very marked effect, by their conceptions, conversation, and example, upon the Prophet, as we find from the contents of the Qur'an.  Of all the authorities on the subject, that of Ibn Ishac and Ibn Hisham as contained in the Sirat,¹ is by far the oldest, and being nearest the Hegira, the most