(55) Chapter: Excellence of Leading an Ascetic Life, and Virtues of Simple Life

'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: We were repairing our thatchy hut when Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) passed by and asked us, "What are you doing?" We said, "The thatch had gone weak and we are repairing it." He (ﷺ) said, "I see the sure thing (death) approaching sooner than this." [Abu Dawud]. Commentary: The word "Khuss'' means a hut or a house which is made of wood and reed/bamboo and plastered with mud. The Hadith reminds us to be mindful of death at all times and be certain that there is nothing nearer to us than it. It also tells us that we should not engage in those worldly things which are bound to make us forget about our appointed term in this world.