Fariduddin Attar told the following tale, that a non-believer arrived at the door of Abraham’s house and asked to be fed. Abraham said that he would feed him provided that the man would change his ways and become a believer. Hearing this, the man got up and left.

Presently, Abraham heard in his heart these words : I have fed this man for fifty years and have asked for nothing in return. Why could you not do the same?