Story of Haji Sidik Falke

From Sai Sat Charita - Chapter 11

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Haji Sidik Falke

There was no knowing, when Baba would accept a devotee. That depended on His sweet will. Sidik Falke's story is to the point. One Mahomedan gentleman by name Sidik Falke of Kalyan, after making a pilgrimage to Mecca and Madina, came to Shirdi.

He lived in a Chavadi, facing north, and sat in the open court-yard of the Masjid.

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For nine months, Baba ignored him, and did not allow him to step into the Masjid. Falke felt much disconsolate, and did not know what to do.

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Somebody advised him not to be disappointed; but to try to approach Baba through Shama (Madhavarao Deshpande), a close and intimate devotee of Baba.

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He told him that as they approach the God Shiva through his servant and devotee, Nandi, so Baba should be approached through Shama.

Falke liked the idea and implored Shama to intercede for him. Shama agreed and on a convenient occasion

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spoke to Baba about him thus:- "Baba, why don't You allow the old Haji to step into the Masjid, while so many persons freely come and go, after taking Your darshan; why not bless him once?"

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Baba replied "Shama, you are too young to understand things. If the Fakir (Allah) does not allow, what can I do? Without His grace, who will climb into the masjid?

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Well, go to him and ask him whether he will come to the narrow footpath near the Barvi well." Shama went and returned with an affirmative answer.

Again Baba said to Shama,"Ask him whether he is willing to pay me the sum of Rs. 40,000/- in four instalments." Shama went and returned with the answer that he was willing to pay even 40 lacs.

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Again Baba said to Shama- "We are going to butcher a goat in the Masjid, so ask him, whether he would like to have mutton, haunch or testicles of the goat."

Shama returned with the answer that the Haji would be happy to receive a small crumb from Baba's kolamba (mudpot).

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Hearing this Baba got excited and with His hands threw away the earthen jars and kolamba and straightway advanced to the Haji and lifting His Kafni up with His hands said- "Why do you brag and fancy yourself great and pose yourself as an old Haji?

Do you read Koran like this? You are proud of your pilgrimage to Macca, but you do not know Me." Being thus scolded, the Haji was confounded.

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Baba then went back to the Masjid, purchased a few baskets of mangoes and sent them to the Haji.

Then again Baba went to the Haji and taking out Rs.55/- from His pocket, gave them to the Haji. From that time, Baba loved the Haji, invited him for meals and the Haji, thereafter, came into the Masjid whenever he liked. Baba gave him at times some rupees, and thus the Haji was enlisted in Baba's Darbar.

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This wonderful story is from

Sai Sat Charita, Chapter 11

Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all