kaana ḥaatimun aṭ-ṭaa’iyyu mashhuuran bikaramihi bayna al-ʿarabiHatim al-Tai was famous among the Arabs for his generosity.
dhaata laylatin baaridatin jaa’ahu ḍuyuufun jiyaaʿun walam yakun ʿindahu ṭaʿaamunOne cold night hungry guests came to him, and he had no food.
kaana ʿindahu ḥiṣaanun waaḥidun yuḥibbuhu kathiiranHe had one horse that he loved very much.
qaala ḥaatimun aḍ-ḍayfu aghlaa mina al-ḥiṣaaniHatim said, "The guest is more precious than the horse."
dhabaḥa ḥiṣaanahu waṭabakha laḥmahu liḍuyuufihiHe slaughtered his horse and cooked its meat for his guests.
akala aḍ-ḍuyuufu washakaruuhu walam yaʿrifuu annahu ḍaḥḥaa biḥiṣaanihiThe guests ate and thanked him, not knowing that he had sacrificed his horse.
fii aṣ-ṣabaaḥi ʿarafuu al-ḥaqiiqata wadahishuuIn the morning they learned the truth and were astonished.
ṣaara asmu ḥaatimin mathalan lil-karami ilaa al-yawmiHatim's name has been a byword for generosity until today.