In an unusually loud voice, she shouted to one of the passengers, Nooma Pankhawala, "Wrap a large kerchief around your neck to form a bag. Approach every passenger — including the children — and collect one paisa [penny] from each. Then have them beseech God with this prayer: 'O God! Save our ship from this storm. On reaching Medina, in the name of your beloved Prophet, we will offer food to the poor.' " Immediately, Nooma collected one paisa from each person — including the British sailors on board — and all fervently repeated what Babajan had commanded. Gradually the squall subsided. They had escaped what appeared to be certain death.
When the ship arrived in Jeddah, word of the miraculous rescue spread, and a great multitude gathered to be personally blessed by Babajan. At the Kaaba, Babajan assumed the role of an ordinary pilgrim, performing prayers five times a day at the shrine. After a few days, she journeyed north to Medina. There in the name of Muhammad, the Prophet of the All-merciful, she distributed grain to the poor.
About 1904, Babajan returned to Bombay and soon afterward proceeded to Ajmer in northern India to pay homage at the tomb of the Sufi Perfect Master, Mu'inuddin Chishti , who established Islam in India. Babajan returned to Bombay, and sometime in 1905 traveled east to Poona, where her beloved son was a growing child. With her arrival in Poona, Babajan's days of traveling came to an end. She settled in Poona permanently to fulfill her spiritual duty to unveil Merwan Sheriar Irani as the Avatar of the Age.
When Babajan first lived in Poona, she did not remain at any fixed place. She would wander in the "Camp" (cantonment) area or roam about the city and even frequent squalid slums. Although her clothes were ragged and soiled, the glowing beauty of her face attracted many to her. Gulrukh had been born a princess, but now, as an Emperor, her true majesty was unmistakable!
After a while, Babajan was never found alone. She was always surrounded by a crowd. She never bathed, yet always smelt fragrant. Her physical needs were practically nil; she seldom ate or slept. She was fond of tea, however, and drank prodigious amounts throughout the day and night. Her followers would bring cup after cup for her and those around her, which she would distribute as prasad.