Pilgrimage (hajj) requires intention, and the goal is to reach the lane of the Beloved. There are two kinds of pilgrimage: the ordinary and the elect.

The ordinary pilgrimage is the journey to the Ka'ba, while the elect pilgrimage is the journey towards its Owner. The ordinary pilgrimage is to circle the four physical walls of that house, while the elect pilgrimage is to visit the Ka'ba of the heart.

The ordinary pilgrimage is to travel to Mecca and arrive at the Ka'ba, while the elect pilgrimage is to leave existence behind and arrive at the valley of annihilation.

The ordinary pilgrimage is to carry out what the Lord has commanded, while the elect pilgrimage is to yearn to behold the Beloved.

The ordinary pilgrimage is to hope for the reward of attaining paradise, while the elect pilgrimage is to behold the compassionate Beloved and attain unity.

The ordinary pilgrimage is to perform one's duties where observance of etiquette is the primary principle, while the elect pilgrimage is to separate from all others at the station of union with the Beloved.

The ordinary pilgrimage requires physical maturity, mental stability, outward freedom and financial ability, while the fundamental conditions of the elect pilgrimage are spiritual attainment, freedom from the prison of the nafs, patience, the zeal of love and the capacity to see the Beloved.

When the ordinary resolve to make the pilgrimage to the Ka'ba, they set out by whatever means they have at their disposal to reach Mecca, put on the pilgrimage garment and circle the Ka'ba, whereas when the elect yearn to behold the Owner of the Ka`ba, they turn the heart's blood into their provision for the Way, ride on the horse of love, drunkenly tear off the flimsy garments of transitory ego-consciousness, don the garment of nonexistence and circle the Ka'ba of the heart, thereby discovering its Owner.

The purified Sufis belong to the category of the elect. While yearning to behold the Beloved, they circle the Ka'ba of the heart, consigning self and all personal expectations to oblivion at the station of union, and become purified by the light of divine unity (tawhid) in the circle of Oneness.