The LEASE of LIFE

Abdullah bin Masood reported that the Prophet once drew a square and a line in the middle of the square, which extended outside the square. He then drew some lines on both sides of the middle line. He then asked whether they knew what it was. The companions replied that only God and His Messenger knew best.

He then explained to them that the square represented the lease of life, the middle line a human being and the sidelines on both its sides were the calamities and diseases, which continuously tear him/her apart. If one calamity missed him another one befell him. The line outside the square was hope. (Bukhari, 1971, Vol.8, Hadith No.426, p.285)