In Jami's Silsilat al-Dhahab (from Haft Awrang), Majnun's retreat under a thorn-bush represents a mature, internalized stage of mystical love ('ishq). Having transcended physical wandering and outward speech, Majnun enters a state of self-sufficient love.

His retreat is characterized by a hedgehog-like defense mechanism:

• Inner Tenderness: Internally, he remains soft (narm), delicate, and entirely consumed by the pure essence of his love.
• Outer Roughness: Externally, he presents a rough, thorny attitude (dorosht) to others to ward off the distractions of the material world and guard his spiritual state.

This allegory teaches that advanced spiritual seekers must shield their inner divine connection from worldly corruption by creating a protective barrier of detachment.