How did Sai Baba's appearance and practices challenge the religious identities of Hindu and Muslim?

Chapter 7 explains in detail how Sai Baba transcended conventional religious labels. If someone considered Him a Hindu, He appeared like a Muslim (Yavana). Conversely, if called a Muslim, He displayed noble Hindu characteristics. The text poses several paradoxes: He was a supposed Muslim with pierced ears, yet also seemingly circumcised. He resided in a mosque, a Muslim place of worship, but within it, He maintained a perpetually burning sacred fire (Dhuni), allowed the ringing of bells, and permitted ritual worship and bhajans, all of which are distinctly Hindu practices. This ambiguity, as described in Chapter 7, left people amazed and confirmed His holy incarnation was beyond both faiths.