Hatimtai (also Hatem at-Ta'iy i.e. Hatim of the Tayy tribe), formally Hatem ibn Abdellah ibn Sa'ad at-Ta'iy (Arabic: حاتم بن عبد الله بن سعد الطائي ) was a famous pre-Islamic (Jahiliyyah) Arabian poet, and the father of the Sahaba Adi ibn Hatim and Safana bint Hatem. He was a Christian,[1] and belonged to the Ta'i Arabian tribe. Stories about his extreme generosity have made him an icon to Arabs up till the present day, as in the proverbial phrase "more generous than Hatem" (Arabic: أكرم من حاتم).
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At-Ta'iy lived in Ha'il (now in Saudi Arabia). He was mentioned in some Hadiths by the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. He died in 578, and he didn't overtake Islam.[2] He was buried in Toran, Ha'il . The tomb is described in the Arabian Nights.[3]
He lived in the sixth century CE, a legendary personality famous for his generosity, goodness and adventures. He also figures in The Arabian Nights . According to legends in various books and stories, he was a famous personality in Tai (Najd province in the central part of the Arabian Peninsula, now in Saudi Arabia). He is also a well-known figure in the rest of the Middle East as well as India & Pakistan.
He travelled to dangerous, distant places to solve the seven questions that he faced, in the cause of justice and truth, and to help the poor and the weak.
Many books have been written about him in different countries and languages. Several movies and TV Series have been produced about his adventures.
Rozat-ul-Sufa mentions that “In the eighth year after the birth of his eminence the Prophet, died Noushirwan the Just, and Hatim Tai the generous, both famous for their virtues.”,[4] around in 579 CE. According to D'Herbelot, his tomb is still present at a small village called Anwarz, in Arabia.[5]
Poems:
Hatim is a common name among Muslims, mostly among the Bohris. Some people say that Hatim means "Generous". Another definition of the name Hatim is "Determined".
"But come with old Khayyam, and leave the Lot
Of Kaikobad and Kaikhosru forgot:
Let Rustum lay about him as he will,
Or Hatim Taiy cry Supper--heed them not."
Qissa-e-Hatim Tai is very popular in the South Asia. Multiple movies (see below) about Hatim Tai are based on this story.
It consists of a short introduction describing his ancestors and his own virtues. In seven chapters, seven of his adventures are given.
The stories are based on seven questions, asked by a beautiful and rich woman Husn Banu, who will marry only the person who will obtain answers to these questions[6]:
A prince falls in love with her and wanders around, not knowing where to go or what to do. By chance he meets Hatim Tai, to whom he tells his story. Hatim undertakes to find the answers to the questions.