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Generosity and hospitality are considered among the highest virtues in Arab culture. But you are spot on, their origin lies in the harshness of the environment.

Generosity and hospitality are considered among the highest virtues in Arab culture. But you are spot on, their origin lies in the harshness of the environment. You give a stranger in the desert food and shelter, knowing full well that it might be you in need of those things in a months time. The culture of hospitality was so developed that even sworn enemies can ask for shelter (for a limited period of time).

agumonkey 8y ago
to the point of sheltering enemies .. that's quite interesting
marai2 8y ago
As the parent mentions, the origins may have been improving your chances of getting help in the harsh environment, these qualities then formed into the highest virtues in the culture. Hatim Tai (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatim_al-Tai https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatim_al-Tai - metioned in the Arabian Nights) is a person famous for his generosity in Arab folklore. One of the stories goes that Hatim was very fond of horses and had one particular horse that was most beloved to him. A certain emperor having heard of his renowned generosity decided to test Hatim Tai. The emperor sent an envoy from his court to Hatim and told him to bring Hatim's beloved horse back, as a willingly given gift or not. When the envoy reached the land of Tai it was the season when the horses would be sent out to pasture in the meadows. However as generosity and hospitality demands Hatim could not receive a guest without offering him a generous welcome. So a feast was prepared and the guest was received. During the course of the meal the guest explained the reason for his visit and said that he was here to take from him his most prized possession, his beloved horse. Upon hearing this Hatim expressed remorse and said that he wished the guest had informed him of his request earlier. Having barely any food at the camp and all the other horses out to pasture, Hatim couldn't offer a measly meal to the guest so he had already sacrificed his beloved horse and that was the meal they were having.
- eli_gottlieb 8y ago
  Hmm... that sounds a little like Hatim found a clever way to spite the emperor. I like it!
- siraf72 8y ago
  I was going to mention him, but stopped short. Glad you did.

agumonkey 8y ago

to the point of sheltering enemies .. that's quite interesting

marai2 8y ago

As the parent mentions, the origins may have been improving your chances of getting help in the harsh environment, these qualities then formed into the highest virtues in the culture. Hatim Tai (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatim_al-Tai https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatim_al-Tai - metioned in the Arabian Nights) is a person famous for his generosity in Arab folklore. One of the stories goes that Hatim was very fond of horses and had one particular horse that was most beloved to him. A certain emperor having heard of his renowned generosity decided to test Hatim Tai. The emperor sent an envoy from his court to Hatim and told him to bring Hatim's beloved horse back, as a willingly given gift or not. When the envoy reached the land of Tai it was the season when the horses would be sent out to pasture in the meadows. However as generosity and hospitality demands Hatim could not receive a guest without offering him a generous welcome. So a feast was prepared and the guest was received. During the course of the meal the guest explained the reason for his visit and said that he was here to take from him his most prized possession, his beloved horse. Upon hearing this Hatim expressed remorse and said that he wished the guest had informed him of his request earlier. Having barely any food at the camp and all the other horses out to pasture, Hatim couldn't offer a measly meal to the guest so he had already sacrificed his beloved horse and that was the meal they were having.

eli_gottlieb 8y ago
Hmm... that sounds a little like Hatim found a clever way to spite the emperor. I like it!
siraf72 8y ago
I was going to mention him, but stopped short. Glad you did.