كَقَوْلِكَ: رَأَيْتُ الْيَوْمَ حَاتِمًا
As in saying, “Today I saw a Ḥātim.”
The name calls to mind the model of generosity. The word “today” and the present conversational setting can exclude identifying the person with the original historical Ḥātim al-Ṭāʾī. Two elements therefore cooperate: a resemblance in character and evidence excluding the literal personal referent.
The contextual indication need not always be a single word intentionally appended to the metaphor. Common historical knowledge and the surrounding situation may suffice. Conversely, one should not declare every surprising use of a name metaphorical without examining its context.