Unravelling the Enigma

This book examines Sai Baba of Shirdi from the standpoint of Islamic mysticism - the Deccani Sufism of 19th century Maharashtra - in order to resolve the mystery surrounding the saint. Two new pieces of work are used in this book. First, Dr Warren elucidates the English translation of part of the works of some 17th and 18th century Maharashtrian Sufi poet-saints. Secondly, she includes the English translation of the previously untranslated Urdu notebook, jotted down by Abdul - Sai Baba's faqiri pupil - from teachings based on the Qur'an given to him by his pir Sai Baba. Both of these contributions allow us to look into a world hitherto closed, and expand our awareness of the famous miracle-worker of Shirdi.