Game of Babs: The Shilajits of Spirituality
Peerzada Masarat Shah
Fraud with a feel-good factor is often the most resilient kind. It is affordable, easily digestible, and deeply ingrained in the minds of those who seek solace over substance. The world has seen countless such figures, but nowhere is their presence more intriguing than in the realm of spirituality—where faith meets commerce, and devotion often overshadows discernment.
Across different regions, the phenomenon of self-styled spiritual leaders—or as we may call them, the Babs—flourishes. Their followers, or mureeds, swear by their wisdom, miracles, and promises of eternal peace. But these Babs, much like Shilajit—a black, tasteless, cheap resin often marketed as a miracle cure—thrive on perception rather than proven effectiveness.
The Shilajit Analogy: Belief Over Proof
Much like the uncles who swear by Shilajit’s unverified potency, every Bab has an army of mureeds who defend their spiritual guide with unwavering faith. Try telling a staunch believer that his revered Bab is no different from the one across the street, and you will witness an explosion of outrage.
A follower of Ahad Bab can mock Razak Bab’s claims, citing logical inconsistencies or fraudulent activities. But suggest that both might be two sides of the same coin, and the scene changes. Suddenly, faith morphs into aggression, and rational discussion is discarded in favor of blind devotion.
The irony? Each Bab’s followers believe theirs is the “real” one, while the others are misguided. But step back, and they all function on the same blueprint—charismatic presence, exaggerated miracles, economic dependence on devotees, and a well-maintained aura of exclusivity.
Why Do Babs Thrive?
- The Feel-Good Factor – Just like people enjoy believing that Shilajit will restore their youth, followers take comfort in the idea that their Bab has answers to life’s chaos.
- Affordable Investment – Spiritual guidance, especially the counterfeit kind, often requires little intellectual investment. Just follow, believe, and pay when needed.
- Community & Identity – Being part of a Bab’s following gives people a sense of belonging, reinforcing their faith through collective validation.
- Resistance to Scrutiny – Questioning a Bab is akin to questioning an elder’s wisdom about Shilajit—it invites emotional backlash rather than logical discussion.
The Basket Problem: All Hell Breaks Loose
It is easy for an Ahad Bab mureed to call out Razak Bab’s theatrics. But the moment someone puts both in the same basket, tensions rise. Why? Because deep down, faith is often not about truth but about comfort. Accepting that all Babs might be mere entertainers in different robes shatters the illusion—something many are unwilling to face.
Ultimately, the Game of Babs is not about spiritual enlightenment but about human nature—our need to believe, our fear of being wrong, and our tendency to defend illusions that make life easier to navigate.
