In Jalaluddin Rumi's Masnavi, the Sufi concept of Mahv (محو), or spiritual annihilation, describes the necessary effacement of the individual ego, worldly attachments, and intellectual pride in the presence of divine reality. Rumi establishes this concept notably by contrasting Mahv with Nahv (grammar or theoretical knowledge) in the allegory of the grammarian and the boatman. While partial intellect is useful for material matters, navigating the ocean of divine truth requires shedding one's ego completely. This state of spiritual annihilation allows the seeker to transcend limited human perception, acting as a foundational prerequisite for understanding more profound spiritual states discussed throughout the text.