In Chapter 47, Poem 105 of the Mokhtar Nameh, Attar of Nishapur explores the indispensable role of spiritual sorrow and the beloved's igniting fire in the lover's transformation.

Core Concepts

• The Indispensability of Sorrow: Attar suggests that spiritual pain and sorrow are necessary prerequisites for the soul's yearning. A heart devoid of the sorrow of the 'heart-illuminator' (dalfruz) remains cold and incapable of experiencing mystical burning (suz).
• The Candle Metaphor: The lover compares themselves to a candle that has been set down for a thousand nights. A candle possesses the potential to burn and illuminate, but without being ignited, it remains inert in the dark.
• Transforming Night to Day: The act of bringing 'night to day' represents spiritual progress, enlightenment, or union with the divine. Attar asserts that this transformation is impossible through the lover's effort alone; it requires the beloved's fire to spark the flame of love.