In the Masnavi, Rumi explains that love is intentionally 'bloody' and hostile at the very beginning to test the sincerity of seekers. This severity acts as a spiritual filter: it frightens away the 'outsiders' (those who seek love for selfish or superficial reasons) while retaining only those who are willing to endure any trial or annihilation for the sake of the Beloved. This theme highlights that the path of divine love requires absolute commitment and purification through suffering before union can be attained.