Many of the teachings commonly attributed to these religious Founders are of doubtful authenticity, and some are evidently accretions of later date.

The Muhammadans possess in the Qur'an, and in a large store of traditions, a much fuller record of the life and teachings of their Prophet, but Muhammad Himself, though inspired, was illiterate, as were most of His early followers.

The methods employed for recording and spreading His teachings were in many respects unsatisfactory, and the authenticity of many of the traditions is very doubtful.

As a result, differences of interpretation and conflicting opinions have cause divisions and dissensions in Islam, as in all previous religious communities.
On the other hand, both the Bab and Baha'u'llah wrote copiously and with great eloquence and power.

As both were debarred from public speaking and spent most of Their lives (after the declaration of Their mission) in prison, They devoted a large proportion of Their time to writing, with the result that in richness of authentic scriptures the Baha'i Revelation is unapproached by any of its predecessors.