In Poem 84 of Attar's Mokhtar Nameh, the poet contrasts physical, ritualistic cleansing with profound spiritual purification. The physical act of washing the face five times a day (a reference to Islamic ablution, or Wudu, prior to daily prayers) is juxtaposed with the inner act of weeping 'tears of blood'. Attar suggests that it is only the 'water of regret'—genuine sorrow and repentance for one's transgressions���that can truly wash away the 'record of sins' and spare the believer's face from the fires of divine retribution. This highlights a central Sufi theme prioritizing sincere, heartfelt devotion and spiritual vulnerability over mere outward adherence to religious rituals.