In Fariduddin Attar's Elahi Nameh, the tale of the man who gave alms to dervishes explores the Sufi concept of absolute humility and self-effacement (fana) in performing righteous deeds. The narrative recounts a pious man who longs to give charity in total secrecy. However, a heavenly voice (Hatef) instructs him that true spiritual certainty (yaqin) requires the giver to be blind even to their own generosity, completely erasing the ego (nafs) from the act of giving. By transcending the desire for self-recognition and viewing oneself as spiritually 'dead' to worldly existence, the seeker overcomes the subtle pride of virtue and recognizes their own spiritual deficiency.