In Book 3 of the Masnavi, Rumi presents a parable where a man slaps Zayd. When Zayd prepares to retaliate, the slapper asks a theoretical question: did the sound of the slap come from his hand or from Zayd's neck? Zayd replies that the pain of the slap prevents him from engaging in such intellectual speculation. Rumi uses this metaphor to illustrate how direct spiritual pain and overwhelming bewilderment (hayrat) leave no room for rational debate, philosophical inquiry, or theoretical analysis.