Abdul was amongst Sai Baba's close devotees and lived with Sai Baba in Shirdi for a continuous period of twenty nine years before Sai Baba's Mahasamadhi and then remained in Shirdi for a further thirty six years until his own samadhi in 1954. Abdul wrote down some of Sai Baba's utterances and explanations and over the years these notes accumulated into a small volume. After Sai Baba's Mahasamadhi, this old notebook manuscript became very precious to Abdul as he made use of it, according to Sri Narashimaswamy, as a 'Book of Prophecy' through which Sai Baba's message and guidance could be obtained. Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Marianne Warren, Abdul's notes have been fully translated and published in her book - "Unraveling the Enigma - Shirdi Sai Baba in the Light of Sufism" published by Sterling Publishers, India. In foreword to the book Dr. N.K.Wagle of University of Toronto says:

"Dr. Marianne Warren's work is the first scholarly attempt to provide a historical context to Sai Baba's teachings. An equally original point argued convincingly by Dr. Warren concerns Sai Baba's knowledge of Islamic Theology. Dr. Warren has translated the Saibaba manuscript in which Sai Baba gave discourses on Islamic history and thought to his pupil, Abdul, his personal attendant, whose tomb rests near Sai Baba's shrine". For Devotees who want to advance spiritually, and are looking for gems to collect as Baba used to say, these sayings are invaluable and should be taken as word personally spoken to each one of us without any prejudice, argument, discussion or controversy.

Abdul's notes on Sai Baba's teachings:
Page 12: The religious emotion is purely spiritual. Only secondarily it relates to the material world. O Parvardigar! - Universal Sustainer. O God! O Habib! - My Beloved! What we see in this material state is not real because you cannot understand it through the intellect or by inference. Those who consider the spirit as without beginning, this opinion is incorrect because thinking itself is not permanent. And life is the real thing. The body is subordinate to it...

Page 14 : To understand the true form of God is difficult. In the Qur'an, it is forbidden to picture God with form. If you walk on the path of righteousness, then you will not feel the need for it. It requires great effort to walk on the path [of righteousness] i.e. tapas. When a person practices taps (riyajat), divine insight (ma'rifa) will automatically come. A sura from the Qur'an says something to this effect, Ajjain jahidu fina tabulana riyajat - He who performs tapas, I regard him to be on the path. It would not be proper to give him full knowledge about it. But before you proceed on the path of Allah, you must discipline the mind. It is strategic to strengthen the defenses, with fortifications. If an army does not move how can the war of righteousness be fought. O dear friend! Know this that the body is the kingdom of the heart. Do not think that the heart has many armies. The Qur'an says: Maya alam rabbuk janud ilahu - The army of Allah, do not think that it has to besiege the mind/heart. The heart is created for the realization of God. To find the way to attaining a vision of God is a man's true task. For the vision of God, divine sight is necessary.
Page 20 : [Similar to page 12 but longer and written at a different time] Religious emotion in full is purely spiritual. It is not material. Secondly it means that you will see the world as material or only relatively real (until you have a vision of God). Parvardigar! O Dear One!., O Dear One! the material (relative state) world is unreal. There is no place for intellect and inference. Those who regard the spirit as without beginning, this is not true. It is wrong to address the spirit because it is dependent on others. The real form of man is prana - life force. The body is under the control of prana. The people who equate the spirit with the body are wrong. The body is impermanent. Animals also have a spirit, which is also impermanent, called dil or heart, which seeks the mercy of God.

(Source: Unraveling the Enigma - Shirdi Sai Baba in the Light of Sufism by Dr. Marianne Warren)
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Contributed Article: Ramzan

Baba's views on the unification of religions are of eternal nature. His universal message of brotherhood beyond the religions is well depicted in Sri Sai Satcharitha vide Chapter VI in the English version where an account is given on how Baba permitted both Ram Navami, a Hindu festival and Urs, a Muslim celebration to be celebrated together. On this holy month of Ramzan, let us take a moment to observe and respect Sainath's values on religious harmony. Let us know about the significance of Ramzan the values of which are fundamental to other religions as well.

The holy month of Ramzan is very auspicious and significant to the Muslims all over the world. It is celebrated on the day after the crescent moon (Idd ka chand) is sighted during the 10th lunar month of the Islamic calendar. The Muslims are ordained to observe fast for 30 days starting with the sighting of the new moon and end it after seeing the new moon a month later. Holy Quran is believed to be compiled during this month. Prophet Mohammad who compiled this was an illiterate person. But he was chosen by God to be His messenger. He would get "Vahi" (inspiration from God), and would speak out spontaneously. All these utterings were written down by His disciples and during this month they were compiled in the form of the holy Quran. It is believed to be a message from God to the mankind.

Ramzan is considered as a period signifying discipline and declaration of subservience to the laws of God, enumerated in the holy Quran. A Muslim is told to give Sadaqa (charity) and Fitra (alms given during Ramzan) to the poor before the Idd prayers and recite Quran intensively during the holy month. The last 10 days of Ramzaan are more important as the faithful watch for Lailathul Qadr (the Night of Power) during which the revelation of the book to the Prophet was completed. Observers keep awake all night praying or listening to sermons by Ulema or the high priest.

The fasting during Ramzan is mandatory for all healthy adult Muslim men and women. Those who cannot fast, have to arrange to feed at least one needy person in lieu of the days one missed out on fasting. Fasting is practiced by followers of all religions in one form or other. It is said to enable one to understand the privations of hunger and thirst and be kind to the poor and the needy. Ramzaan is a month of brotherhood, compassion and festivity and the rigor of fasting ends with the celebration of Idd.
(Contributed by Sai Vichaar team)
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Experiences of Devotees:

Babitha
A few days back I had lost my gold ear ring, which I had purchased just a week before. After that I went to several places crossing roads and lanes before I could realize I lost the ornament. As I strongly believe a loss of gold ornament is going to bring bad luck I was totally upset. Then I thought when Baba is with me why should I worry so I earnestly prayed in mind that I should get it back. Believe me I recovered the ornament under such circumstances and situation where if not for Baba's divine grace I would not have recovered the same. It was floating on the drainage pipe and my husband found it. Actually the ornament sinks but this is a miracle nothing else. As promised I am submitting this article in Sai Vichaar.

Pragna
I am a new devotee of Sai Baba and I feel that He came into our lives to take care of my child. Everyday that I prayed in front of Sai Baba I asked Him to bless my child and take care of her and imagined Saibaba blessing my baby by placing her on His lap. I happen to visit a Sai Temple nearby, we were waiting for the priest to commence the evening Aarthi. The priest came to us and before everything else took our daughter from us and placed her on the lap of Baba's idol and asked Baba to bless her. My eyes were in tears. I request Saibaba to take care of all the children in the world with the same love.

Sridhar
Recently during my annual medical checkup, I was asked to undergo one more cardiology test as a blockage was suspected. Doctor indicated that this test would determine if a procedure to remove the blockage is needed or not. I was scared and distressed both for my family and myself. I underwent the test with Sai's name on my lips. I also was uttering Sai's name when I went back to see the doctor for consultation on my test results. Doctor informed that there are no blockages. I consider this nothing but Sai's krupa and accept this kindness of Sai with utmost humility. I pray to Sai to guide me to live a life of happiness not only for my family sake but also to share with other. I pray to Sai to give me strength and guidance to do good to others.

Roshan
Sai Baba has been most helpful and bestowed miracles upon me. I was in fear of losing my job. After praying to Saibaba and reading the Sai Satcharitra regularly, Sai Baba has saved my job for me and helped me to continue. The company where I am working is planning to remove several hundreds of employees, but by grace of SaiBaba, I have been told that I can continue to work till June 2008. I have full faith in Sai Baba that He would always lead me onto the right path and keep me safe. Jai Sai Ram.
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Devotees say...

Rajnish
Baba, You always help us in our hard times. Your blessings relieved me and my family from all the problems, which makes us worried from last so many months. First with Your help I got such a nice job and working for such a good company and now finally my wife new H1 also got approved and she started from October 1st. You know how much tensed we were when her office send the wrong application for H1 and the application got rejected and when they send the correct application on 20th Sep. then we prayed in front of you to get H1 approved before 1st October or else our family loose all the Medical and other Benefits if she didn't start a new Job from October 1st, but like all other devotes whenever we pray/request something from you, sooner or later you always listen to our pray and help us from our problems. Your miracles in our life helps us builds more and more faith on you also it makes me and my family having more trust on you. Baba please be with us Always and always shower your blessings on us.

Venugopalan
Do not have words for your continues blessings, Baba. We have full faith in You and were waiting with patience for Your blessings. My daughter is much better now; she is out of crisis now. I have seen whenever there is delay in receiving Your blessings, there is reasons for it - most of the time - to make us stronger.

Prakash
Thank you so much Baba, whatever we (me and my family) are now it is all Your blessings Baba. By your blessings my contract has been extended for two years miraculously. I am privileged to write this to You. I have experienced so many miracles in my life and this is one among such instance. I really don't know how to thank You, please continue to shower Your blessings on all of us and keep us at Your lotus feet always. Thank You Baba, Thank You so much.

Sirisha
Throughout my pregnancy I had some or the other complication and was always worried. I always prayed to Baba because I had a very strong feeling that He is there with me and my baby. I read Sai Satcharita everyday. It's a miracle that I delivered on Thursday and baby is in good health. Baba please be with our family always and please forgive for any mistakes of ours. Please bless my child with good health and I am waiting for my husband to come to India. Please see to it that we get our passports in time for my husband to travel. Koti pranam's to Baba. Have strong faith in Baba and he will help us.

Parthasarathy
We got married in 1997. No kids till date. My friend asked us to read Sai Satcharitra [to make a sapthaga] in August 2006 and told to go to Shirdi. We read the Satcharitra in August 2006 itself and went to Shirdi in February 2007 and prayed to Baba. He showered His blessings due to which my wife is in fifth month of pregnancy. Baba, please continue to shower Your blessings on us to have a safe pregnancy and healthy child. We both surrender your Lotus feet. Koti Pranam Sainath.

Bidhan
I am really grateful to You for blessing my seven months old daughter. She has been suffering from constipation for 7 days. I prayed to Sai Baba to solve the problem, and if He solved the problem hence I am sharing my experience in Sai Vichaar.

Sai devotee
Om Sairam!! Thank you Saibaba for having blessed my grandchild with a very happy and a wonderful school environment and making her enjoy every moment at school. Also thank you for having blessed her with excellent and god loving people to take care of her. Thank you once again.

Sathya
Baba, thanks for blessing me with a new project on the last day of my previous contract. Really, You alone knows how much I was worried about the job and as promised You showed me with a real good one with revised package as well. I feel Your presence on every single moment in my life. I am posting this in Sai Vichaar as said. Please show Your blessings so that I will work well in my new project.

Parvathy
My sister who lives in California was pregnant. But she had severe stress at work that she had to take shots during her 32nd week for the baby to grow inside in case they had to deliver the baby early. I had prayed to Baba that if everything went smooth and the baby was delivered in the 9th month, I would submit my thanks prayer in Sai Vichaar. My sister delivered a baby girl on 18th with 6 lbs as the baby weight. Both the mother and baby are doing fine.
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Prayer Club:

Sai devotee
Baba it is well evident that I am zero or nothing without You. My existance is null without Your blessing. I heartly thankyou for all the blessing that You have poured upon me. Baba please listen to one more prayer of mine and please pour Your blessing on me. Baba please bless me with one more child. Baba please bless that I and my family always have a place at Your lotus feet and always be blessed. Baba please answer my prayers.

Sai devotee
Saibaba, I prostrate before You and surrender to You. In chapters XVIII and XIX of Satcharita it was mentioned that the scandal-monger removes the dirt (faults) of others by his toungue. I have been trying to get rid of this bad habit, but I could not. I even did swear by You that I won't do this again, but of no avail. Maybe it is because of my deep rooted feelings of jealousy, inadequacy, helplessness I am indulging in talking ill of (scadalizing)others. Please give me strength to overcome this evil habit. Baba, please shower Your blessings on me, give me inner peace and encourage positive thoughts.

Anup
Jai Shree Sachiddanand Saduguru Sai Nath Maharaj Ki jai. Baba I am still waiting for Your blessings to have suitable job for me. Bless me!

Ananthashayanam
Baba, please give good health, good education and good nature to my son. Baba, my son is writing II PU exam this year, Baba, please be with him and guide him to get good marks. Baba, by Your grace some of the problems have been solved. Baba, solve my credit card problems. Baba, bank officials threatening me that they will get arrest warrant. Baba, please solve this problems. Baba, please be with me always and guide me to do good things. Baba, please good health to all the members of my family.

Maleshwari
Thank you Baba for your many blessings on us. We pray that You bless my daughter to get admission in a good University of her choice so she can pursue her goals. Please give her good health and happiness always and keep her on the right true path. We pray that you shower Your blessings on all for good health, peace of mind and happiness. Please forgive any past mistakes and help us always follow the right path and the path of truth. Please bless us and let us have your darshan at Shirdi soon. Thank you Baba

Praveen
Baba, I pray to bless my friend Vidya with a child. Please kindly shower Your blessings on her family and make her wish come true.

Shilpa
Baba, I want to thank You for bieng there in my life. Please help me to have a better relation wth my husband. Baba someday I hope that we do Your aarti together. Thank You.
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Quotation of the Week:

"When there is greed, there is no room for thought or meditation on the Brahma".-Sri Sai Satcharita
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Question of the Week:

Q. We get to hear that whatever sufferings we undergo is due to the deeds of our previous births. To the contrary we also hear that whatever good or bad deeds we do, we have to experience the result in the same birth itself. Could anyone explain which is appropriate?

A. by Venkata

Both are appropriate. Suppose there is a vessel to fill all your sins in it and think that there is a hole at the bottom. Say you experience the result in the same birth. In that case some of the sins pass away through the bottom hole. There is every chance to make this vessel empty. But your sins are heavy and even at the spite of experiencing the result in the same birth, the vessel over flow with sins. In that case you must experience the result in the next birth also. For example, fill a vessel with a hole at bottom, slowly with water. If your input and output from hole is same, the vessel remains empty. But if you pour water tremendously, even though there is hole at bottom, the vessel will fill with water and over flow. Similarly your sins. If they cross some limit, you are to carry them to next birth also. Therefore in my view both are correct.

A. by Sangeeth

It is very clearly mentioned in Sri Sai Satcharitra as well as in Guru Charitra that we need to reap the actions of our previous births be it Good or Bad in the same birth or subsequent births (immaterial of our birth i.e. either being born as Human or some other creature), it is as good as "Nullifying" the effect of the previous births. Moreover, there is a special mention in the Guru Charitra that our physical body is capable of tolerating pains and pleasures upto a certain limit; beyond which it cannot tolerate and hence there is a event called "Death"; Post death, the so-called "Yatana Sharira" (meta-physical body or "Atma") doesn't experience any pains or pleasures, and hence the merits (or demerits) of the past births get carried forward to the subsequent births and we have to experience the same. This is the Law of Nature (Prakruti Dharma). So, death is a kind of "threshold limit" for our sufferings or joys, if we have borne enough before death (per our deeds) then we get to carry nothing to the future births else we do. One more thing that needs to be mentioned here is: Whatever happens in our Life is ordained by God and hence is always good for us. However the second part of the question needs to be read as: Whatever happens for us is ordained by God and hence is always Good for us. Everything that we undergo is a blessing in disguise.
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Sai Activities:

Sri Shirdi Saibaba Punyathithi (89th) celebrations at Shirdi Sai Temple, Chicago
Shri Sai Baba Punyatithi (Mahasamadhi ) will be celebrated for three days from October 19th to October 21st, 2007 at Chicago Shirdi Sai Temple. Vijayadashmi day in 1918 was also an auspicious day when Sri Sai Baba took Mahasamadhi in Shirdi and ever since this day has been celebrated in Shirdi in honor and rememberance. Bhajan Sandhya during Punyatithi celebrations on Saturday, October 20th evening 6 pm onwards by Dr. Mangala Apte who has given numerous performances in her career and a few related to Shree Shirdi Sai Baba were at Sai Angan, Gurgaon, New Delhi, at Sai Festivals all over Goa and at Shree Sai temple at Shirdi. For program details please visit www.saibaba.us or call 847-931-4058.

Sri Saibaba Mahasamadhi Celebrations, Minneapolis
Sri Saibaba Mandir, Minneapolis invites all to join the daylong celebration of Sri Saibaba's 89th Mahasamadhi anniversary on Sunday, October 21st, 2007. The schedule includes traditional Sri Saibaba Arathis, Sree Sainaama Mahamantra Havan, Sri Sainaama Jaap, and Sri Saibaba bhajans by Smt. Mangala Apte. Please visit www.hamaresai.org for more details.

Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple of DFW Metroplex is located at 2109 West Parker (Parker Plaza), Suite 212, Plano, TX 75023. For temple hours and activities please call the temple office at 469-467-3388 or visit the website www.shirdisaidallas.org.

Shirdi Sai Center in Bay Area, CA
Shirdi Sai Center is located 897-B East Kifer Rd, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. For more information please call 408-705-7904 or 408-564-6704 or send email to saibandhu@yahoo.com. You can also visit our website is www.Shirdisaiparivaar.org.

Shirdi Saibaba temple, Los Angeles, CA
Devotees in Los Angeles area are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Los Angeles area. The temple is located at - 144 South 4th Street, Montebello, CA 90640. For more information please call Krishna Samantula at 949-679-9938 or visit www.shirdisaila.org.

Saibaba Temple, Columbus, Ohio
Devotees in Columbus and surrounding Ohio locations area are informed about Sri Shirdi Saibaba temple in Metro Columbus area. The temple is located in a leasing space at 7674 Sawmill Rd, Dublin, OH 43016. Please attend daily Aaratis and Thursday bhajans. For more information please call Panditjee at 614-799-8411 or visit www.saibaba.cc.

Shirdi Sai bhajans every Thursday at Maitland, Florida
Devotees are invited to participate in Sai study and bhajans on Thursdays between 7-8 pm at Meditation Gallery, 219 E Horatio Ave, Maitland, FL 32715. For more details please contact Bonnie at 407-830-1276.

Shirdi Sai Mahasamadhi and Dassera celebration in Sydney, Australia
Shree Shirdi Sai Sansthan Sydney invites you with family and friends to join Dusserah and Baba's Punyatithi(Mahasamadhi) on 14th, 20th and 21st October 2007 at 420 Liverpool Road, Strathfield South, NSW 2136, Australia. For detailed programme or Sansthan's activities, please contact Sansthan Info-Line at 0500 524 724.
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