What was the story of Amir Shakkar, and what strange instruction did Sai Baba give him for his illness?

Amir Shakkar was a devotee suffering from severe rheumatism who approached Sai Baba for a remedy. As detailed in Chapter 22, after narrating his illness, Baba's instruction was not a medicine but a command: he should stay steadily in the Chavadi. This was a challenging order, as the Chavadi was a dilapidated and uncomfortable place. Despite the external conditions being contrary to healing, Amir had certain faith internally. He was ordained to stay there for nine months, accepting Baba's word as his true medicine, and was even forbidden from going to the Masjid for darshan during this period.