Hatim al-Ta'i
حاتم الطائي
The proverb of generosity — his grave at Baqqa above the wadi al-Khabil is flanked by eight stone maids with loosed hair like mourners, whose laments are heard by night; the tale of Abu al-Bakhtari whose camel Hatim hamstrung from the grave until Adi replaced it, sent in a dream, made his tomb proverbial for hospitality itself 1.
At a glance
- Era
- Pre-Islamic Arabia
- Review
- Draft Completeness 1/5 · Help complete it
Overview
Hatim al-Ta'i, the proverbial figure for generosity. Al-Mas'udi reports that his grave is at Baqqa, on the highest mountain of a valley called al-Khabil. On the right of the grave are four stone maidens, and on its left four, with their hair loosened, as if they were mourners. 1
Al-Mas'udi reports that the jinn's lamentation over him can be heard at night until dawn. He transmits the account of Abu al-Bakhtari, who called to the grave, "Aqran!", and Hatim slaughtered his camel for him. Then Adi ibn Hatim (may God be pleased with him) brought him a camel in its place, in keeping with what he had seen in a dream. 1
He gives the words of Salim ibn Zarara al-Ghatafani, that his grave was a place where guests were hosted, and that no one had ever passed by that grave on horseback without stopping. 1
People and things also explored
The virtues of the Arabs of the Jahiliyya· Consecrated Livestock· al-Mughira ibn Shu'ba· Ta'abbata Sharran· The Muslims Are Coming!· The Unknown Saint· Four Lions· Barakah Meets Barakah
Sources
- Muruj al-Dhahab — al-Masʼudi, p. 474-476
Cite this page
islam.museum contributors. “Hatim al-Ta'i”. islam.museum, https://islam.museum/en/person/hatim-al-tai/. CC BY-SA 4.0. Accessed 2026-10-17.