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In due course I entered Damascus, and there I remained for nearly two
years with no other occupation than the cultivation of retirement and
solitude, together with religious and abstinent exercises, as I busied myself
purifying my soul, improving my character and cleansing my heart with the
constant recollection of Allah Most High, as I had learned from my study of
mysticism. I used to go into retreat for a period in the mosque of Damascus,
going up the minaret of the mosque for the whole day and shutting myself in
so as to be alone.

At length I made my way from Damascus to the Holy House (that is,
Jerusalem). There I used to enter into the precinct of the Rock every day
and shut myself in.

Next, there arose in me a prompting to fulfill the duty of the Pilgrimage,
gain the blessings of Mecca and Medina, and perform the visitation of the
Messenger of Allah Most High, peace be upon him, after first performing the
visitation of al-Khalil, the Friend of Allah, may Allah praise and give him
peace.⁶ I therefore made the journey to the Hijaz. Before long however,
various concerns, together with the requests of my children, drew me back