During his travels (Udasis), Guru Nanak Dev Ji arrived in Baghdad and settled at the foot of a hill, facing east in deep meditation (Bandgi). His spiritual presence soon drew attention, and word reached Khalifa Bakr, the ruling Muslim king known for his belief in miracles.
Bakr came from a line of harsh rulers—his grandfather, Khalifa Walid, had been a strict teacher to Abdul Rahman, and Bakr himself had inherited this oppressive nature. He routinely imprisoned saints and fakirs who entered Baghdad.
When Bakr approached Guru Nanak and demanded a miracle, Guru Ji responded with divine wisdom: “True saints do not perform miracles on command. Instead, you should fear God and free His people—the saints and fakirs you have imprisoned. If you do this, God will bless you with a son.”
Stunned by Guru Ji’s words, Khalifa Bakr immediately released all the imprisoned holy men. Moved by Guru Nanak’s grace, he abandoned his tyranny and became a devoted follower.
This powerful encounter teaches us: True faith liberates, not oppresses. By heeding Guru Ji’s guidance, Bakr transformed from a captor to a believer—proof that divine wisdom can soften even the hardest hearts.
