Shirdi Sai Baba in the light of Sufism

Am reading a book, which I had bought from a small shop in Shirdi, long time back. The book is named Unravelling The Enigma, Shirdi Sai Baba in the light of Sufism. The book is written by Marianne Warren, a British born lady immigrated to Canada. She became interested in Yoga, and went on to teach Indian Philosophy, Psychology and religion as part of a Yoga teachers training course.

As stated in authors preface of the book, the book is an adaptation of her Ph.D disseration entitled The Maharashtrian Sufi Context of Hazarat Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi (1838-1918), accepted at the University of Toronto in 1996 as part of requirements for her doctorate in South Asian Studies.

As for writing the thesis on Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, the Canadian Author made visits to number of places associated with Shirdi Sai Baba and have come out with vital information. One of the most attracting, gift this book has is the translation of Abdul’s Manuscript as called by the Author. Sai Baba in Shirdi used to narrate number of things to his close devotee Abdul Baba. Abdul Baba used to read the holy Qur’an in presence of Sai Baba. Abdul Baba used to write down words narrated by Sri Sai Baba to him. The notebook of Abdul Baba has been translated to English language for the readers who cannot understand the original script written by Abdul Baba.

Further more much has been described about the Sufism and Sufis in India and particularly Maharashtra. A very good informative book, somehow the writer would not called it a sacred text. Few good articles will be written on the blog from the information collected from this book. Particularly the information of Sufi Saint Zar Zari Zarbaksh, which the writer had deep whim to visit the Tomb of the Sufi Saint after reading about him in a very good book on Shirdi Sai Baba, by Meher Baba. The tomb of Zar Zari Zarbaksh and Samadhi of Meher Baba are spiritually worth visiting places both located about the distance of 100 kms of Shirdi, but in different directions. In fact the book was bought in Shirdi immediately after looking at the picture of the Darghah Tomb of Zar Zari Zar Baksh.