This consists of intending [the pilgrimage to] the House situated in Bakka, built by Abraham and Ishmael, peace be upon them both. Intending it is an obligation upon the commoners who halted at the outward aspect of things without their inward realities; their delusions did not transcend toward the manifestation of the sign (mazhar al-ishara) within the hidden core of worship. Thus, they were veiled by the wall and the mountain from the Cause of Causes (‘Illat al-‘Ilal). This is part of the burdens (asar) carried by them and the shackles (aghlal) placed upon their necks because of their halting at the outward aspects of the forms and their separation from the inward [realities] of Decree (Al-Qadr). It is as I have said in verse:

And Hajj, in the law of Love (Al-Hawa), is naught but a form

Expressing the existence of hidden meanings.

The path of guidance for the Gnostics is its path

And its companionship is the best companionship for the guided

Its Safa is the heart’s purity from its murkiness

And its Marwa contains the perfection of chivalry (Muru’a).

Its Mash’ar is veiled from those without perception (Sha’ir)

That which my wounded heart suggested out of passionate love.

Its Kaaba is [the letter] Mim in the light of its whiteness

My insight prepared itself to behold the Beauty.