This concept explores Attar's depiction of the carnal ego (nafs) as an obstinate and unyielding force, referred to as the 'infidel ego' (kafar-e nafs). The poem highlights the immense difficulty of spiritual purification; even after the seeker undertakes extreme mortification ('Every day I have killed myself a thousand times'), the ego stubbornly survives. This illustrates the relentless and ongoing nature of the struggle against the lower self, emphasizing that the ego is a resilient enemy that defies easy spiritual victory.