After Sai Baba's passing, what caused so much confusion and doubt among his followers, leading to a prolonged debate about his final rites?

The confusion and doubt among followers after Sai Baba's breath left His body stemmed from a past incident. Chapter 44 explains that while Hindus and Muslims began a 26-hour deliberation on how to handle the final rites, many were doubtful whether it was a permanent death or a temporary trance (Samadhi). This doubt was rooted in a memory from 32 years prior, when Baba had drawn his life force into the crown of his head for three full days, appearing to be dead. He then suddenly returned to his body, dispelling everyone's anxiety. This previous experience, as recounted in Chapter 44, made it seem impossible for some to believe he wouldn't rise again, causing uncertainty and prolonging the discussions about his Samadhi.