I heard of a wealthy man who was as famous for his miserliness as Hatem Tai was for his generosity. His outward appearance was adorned with the blessings of the world, but his innate stinginess was so entrenched in him that he would not give a morsel of bread to a living being. He would not offer a bite to the cat of Abu Hurairah, nor a bone to the dog of the Companions of the Cave. In short, no one ever saw his house with an open door or his table set.

A dervish would hear nothing but the smell of his food

Even a bird would not pick up crumbs after he ate his bread

I heard that he had set out on the western sea, heading for Egypt, with pharaonic ambitions in his head; until, when he was overtaken by drowning, a contrary wind arose against his ship.

What can one do with a troubled nature, if one does not adapt?

The sea is not always suitable for sailing

He raised his hands in prayer and began to cry out uselessly. 'And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allah, making their devotion sincerely to Him.'

What good does supplication do for a needy servant

When the time for prayer to God is also the time for generosity in hand?

Provide comfort from gold and silver

And also take pleasure for yourself

And then this house that will remain after you

Take a brick of silver and a brick of gold

It is said that he had poor relatives in Egypt. They became wealthy from the remainder of his wealth and tore their old clothes at his death and cut fine and Damietta fabrics. In that same week, I saw one of them riding a swift horse, with a slave running after him.

Alas, if the dead man could return

To his family and relations

The rejection of the inheritance would have been harder

For the heirs than the death of their relative

Due to a prior acquaintance that we had, I took his sleeve and said:

Eat, O noble and generous man

For that unfortunate one gathered and did not eat