They asked Hatem Ta'i: 'Have you seen or heard of anyone more generous than yourself in the world?'

He said: 'Yes! One day I had sacrificed forty camels for the Arab princes, then I had gone to a corner of the desert for a need. I saw a thorn-gatherer who had gathered a pile of thorns. I said to him: 'Why don't you go to Hatem's feast, where people have gathered at his table?' He said:'

Whoever eats bread from his own labor

Does not bear the obligation of Hatem Ta'i

I considered him superior to myself in ambition and generosity.