True Essence of Hajj

A man came to visit Sayyiduna Junaid Baghdadi, whose life reflected no
change, even after having performed Hajj.
Sayyiduna Junaid asked him: "Where are you coming from?"
"Sir, I have returned after performing Hajj of the House of Allah",
was the reply.
"So, have you actually performed Hajj?"
"Yes, Sir, I have performed Hajj ", said the man.
"Did you pledge that you would give up sins when you left your home
for Hajj?" asked Sayyiduna Junaid.
"No, Sir, I never thought of that", said the man.
"Then, in fact, you did not even step out for Hajj. While you were on
the sacred journey and making halts at places during thenights, did
you ever think of attaining nearness to Allah?"
"Sir, I had no such idea."
"Then you did not at all travel to the Ka'bah, nor did ever visit it.
When you put on the Ihram garments, and discarded your ordinary dress,
did you make up your mind to abandon your evil ways and attitudes in
life as well?"
"No, Sir, I had no idea of that."
"Then, you did not even don the Ihram garments!" said Sayyiduna Junaid
ruefully. Then he asked; "When you stood in the Plain of Arafat and
were imploring Allah Almighty, did you have the feeling that you were
standing in Divine Presence and having a vision of Him?"
"No, Sir, I had no such experience.
Sayyiduna Junaid then became a liltle upset and asked: "Well, when you
came to Muzdalifah, did you promise that you would give up vain
desires of the flesh?"
"Sir, I paid no heed to this."
"You did not then come to Muzdalifah at all." Then he asked: 0″Tell
me, did you happen to catch glimpses of Divine Beauty when youmoved
round the Houseof Allah?"
"No, Sir, I caught no such glimpses."
"Then, you did not move around the Ka'bah at all." Then he said: "When
you made Sa'i (running) between the Safa and the Marwa,did you realize
the wisdom, significance and objective of your effort?"
"Sir, I was not at all conscious of this."
"Then you did not make any Sa'i!"Then he asked: "When you slaughtered
an animal at the place of sacrifice, did you sacrificeyour selfish
desires as well in the way of Allah?"
"Sir, I failed to give any attention to that!"
"Then, in fact you offered no sacrifice whatever."
"Then when you cast stones at the Jamarahs, did you make a resolve to
get rid of your evil companions and friends and desires?"
"No, Sir, I didn't do that."
"Then, you did not cast stones at all", remarked Sayyiduna Junaid
regretfully, and said:
"Go back and perform Hajj once again, giving due thought and attention
to all the requirements,so that your Hajj may bear some resemblance
with Prophet Ibrahim's Hajj, whose faith and sincerity has been
confirmed by the Qur'an: Ibrahim who carried out most faithfully the
Commands (of his Lord)." (53:37)