It is narrated from Abu Sa'id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) fixed a stick in front of him, one at its side, and one at a distance. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Do you know what this is?" The companions (may Allah be pleased with them) replied: Allah and His Messenger know best. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "This is man, and this is his appointed time (death)." The narrator states: I think the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "These are his hopes; he strives to achieve his hopes, but before his hope is fulfilled, death overtakes him." Its chain is Hasan. It is narrated in Sharh al-Sunnah.