Sufyan Ath-Thawri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: Asceticism in the world is not wearing coarse or rough clothing or eating husk; rather, asceticism in the world is shortening aspiration.
(1) His statement: This is the human: Meaning the first stick is his representation. His statement: "And this is the term," meaning and this second stick connected to his side is his term, meaning the end of his life and cessation of his deeds. His statement: "And this is the aspiration," meaning and this farther stick is the length of his aspiration. (As stated in Al-Mirqat)
Commentary and footnotes (1)
Note 1
(1) His statement: This is the human: Meaning the first stick is his representation. His statement: "And this is the term," meaning and this second stick connected to his side is his term, meaning the end of his life and cessation of his deeds. His statement: "And this is the aspiration," meaning and this farther stick is the length of his aspiration. (As stated in Al-Mirqat)