Whether Sai Baba was a Hindu or a Mahomedan

If you think that He was a Hindu, He looked like a Yavan.

If you think Him to be a Yavan, He looked like a pious Hindu.

No one definitely knew whether He was a Hindu or a Mahomedan. He celebrated the Hindu festival of Rama-Navami with all due formalities, and at the same time permitted the ‘Sandal’ procession of the Mahomedans. He encouraged wrestling bouts in this festival, and gave good prizes to winners.

When the Gokul Ashtami came, He got the ‘Gopal-Kala’ ceremony duly performed and on Id festivals,

He allowed Mahomedans to say their prayers (Namaj) in His Masjid. Once in the Moharum festival, some Mahomedans proposed to contruct a Tajiya or Tabut in the Masjid, keep it there for some days and afterwards take it in procession through the village. Sai Baba allowed the keeping of the Tabut for four days, and on the fifth day removed it out of the Masjid without the least compunction.

If we say that He was a Mahomedan, His ears were pierced (i.e. had holes according to Hindu fashion).

If you think that He was a Hindu, He advocated the practice of circumcision (though according to Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, who observed Him closely, He was not Himself circumcised. Vide article in Sai Leela on “Baba Hindu Ki Yavan” by B.V. Deo, page 562).

If you call Him Hindu, He always lived in the Masjid;

If you call Him if Mahomedan, He had always the Dhuni – sacred fire there, and the following things which are contrary to Mahomedan religion, i.e., grinding on the handmill, blowing of the conch and bells, oblation in the fire, Bhajan, giving of food, and worship of Baba’s Feet by means of ARGHYA (water) were always allowed there.

If you think that He was a Mahomedan, the best of Brahmins and Agnihotris, leaving aside their orthodox ways, fell prostrate at His Feet.

Those who went to make enquiries about his nationality, were dumb-founded and were captured by his darshana.