Hatim bandaging his thigh after offering flesh to the wolf

22.3234 - Folio 24 Obverse

Hatim bandaging his thigh after offering flesh to the wolf

22.3234 - Folio 24 Obverse

Description

Hatim bon Ubaid ben Sa’id, chief of the tribe of Tai, lived in the latter half of the sixth century of the Christian era. His native country was Yemen or Arabia. He was known for his generosity and many other qualities.

According to the story a beautiful and rich woman named Husn Banu had decided to marry the person who will be able to get answers to her seven riddles. A king falls in love with her but is unable to find answers. He, therefore, asks for the help of the generous Hatim Tai. Hatim undertakes seven adventures and finds the answers to the riddles. He then brings about the marriage of the King and Husn Bano.

During one of his quests, Hatim arrived in the desert and saw a wolf in pursuit of a doe. Hatim warned the wolf that the doe had a young one hence he should not make her his prayer. Wolf replied that flesh was his food. Hatim cut the flesh from his own thigh and threw it at the wolf. The wolf ate it and was satisfied. The painting shows extremely generous Hatim Tai bandaging his own thigh after offering his flesh to the wolf.