How did Sai Baba's life and practices defy easy classification as either Hindu or Muslim?

Chapter 7 of the Shri Sai Satcharitra illustrates the profound ambiguity of Sai Baba's religious identity. While he resided in a mosque, a practice associated with Muslims, the mosque itself housed activities typical of Hindu worship. As detailed in Chapter 7, a sacred fire (Dhuni) burned day and night, bells and conches were used, and constant Bhajan was performed. Physically, he presented a paradox: if called a Hindu, his circumcision was noted, and if called a Muslim, his pierced ears were pointed out. The text emphasizes that he was a holy incarnation beyond these distinctions, equally embracing both communities and making it impossible to find even an 'atom’s worth of trace' of his origins.