CARING FOR THE ELDERS

Abdul Saeed Khan Ghori      

The status of senior citizen is of much importance in every society, especially in the West where the elderly persons are in most cases sent to old-age homes instead of being cared in their own houses. Many of them end up in nursing homes.

This type of life for the aged persons is miserable and unbearable. This situation needs to be remedied before the disturbing trend begins to take roots in the societies of the developing countries and creates an unforeseen crisis.

Islam teaches us to respect the elderly whether they are parents, relatives or any other persons. The word elderly has been used in the Quraan to mean Shaikh and Kabeer. We are informed that the elderly may end up with the following characteristics:

Many of them lose their biological potency, the majority may lose their physical vitality, some of them may lose their mental capacity and a large number of them develop increased emotional feelings beyond limits.

As far as the loss of physical vitality is concerned, an old person can’t do much of the work that a young man is able to do. The Quraan informs us about Prophet Sho’aib (Alaihis salaam) who was an aged person. He was unable to do hard work. His daughters have to take the goats for water and also to raise them. In Surah Al-Qasas (The Narration), the Quraan states the following:

They said: We cannot water our flocks until the shepherds take back their flocks: and our father is a very old man. (28:23)

The Quraan also informs us about Prophet Zakariyyah (Alaihis salaam) who admitted his old age and his lack of physical ability. In Surah Maryam, Allah says:

Praying: O my Lord! Infirm indeed are my bones, and the hair of my head does glisten with grey... (19:4)

As far as the loss of mental capacity is concerned, Allah (SWT) indicates, in the Quraan, that any old person may lose most of his mental capability. Hence he may become senile.

In Surah Al-Hajj (Pilgrimage) and Surah Al-Nahl (The Bee), Allah (SWT) says about the senility of the elderly ones. In Surah Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage) Allah says the following:

And some of you are called to die, and some are sent back to the feeblest old age, so that they know nothing after having known so much... (22-55). This may be called Alzheimer disease if we refer to modern medicine.

As far as the emotional feelings are concerned, Allah (SWT) informs us about Prophet Ya’qoob (Jacob) and his sentimental feelings toward his two last sons Yousuf (Joseph) and Bin Yaameen (Benjamin). His emotions, his love, his concern, his sympathy, and his sentiments were too high to the extent that he cried and wept extensively until he lost his sight. The climax of this anecdote is summarized in Surah Yousuf as follows:

And he turned away from them, and said: how great is my grief for Joseph! And his eyes became white with sorrow, and he fell into silent melancholy. (12:84)

When he was blamed for his continuous crying:

He said: I only complain of my distraction and anguish to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you Know not.. (12:86)

In all these cases we are taught as Muslims, that we should respect the elderly even if they are senile. Our respect to the elderly is more confirmed toward our parents. In Surah Al-Israa’ (Night Journey), Allah (SWT) says to us: “... and that you be kind to parents. Where one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour.” (17:23)

Our beloved Prophet (SallAllaho alehi wsallam) instructed us to respect all those who are old and at the same time we are to have mercy on the young. In one Hadeeth, it is said: I advise you to be good to the elderly, and to have mercy on the youth. It was reported by Hadhrat ‘Aaishah that the Prophet (SallAllaho alehi wsallam) instructed us to respect people according to their position.

We are informed that any young person, who respects the elderly, is to be respected when he becomes old. In one Hadeeth, narrated by Hadhrat Anas, the Prophet (SallAllaho alehi wsallam) said:

Any young person who is kind to an elderly because of his age, Allah (SWT) will send him someone who will be kind to him when he becomes old.

In another place, our beloved Prophet (SallAllaho alehi wsallam) denounces the young if they don’t respect the elderly.

The respect that the Prophet (SallAllaho alehi wsallam) instructed us to give to the elderly is also in the field of prayer itself. We are to feel sympathy and concern for the elderly while we are performing the prayer. We should not extend or prolong the congregation prayer especially if there are elderly among the faithful. In one Hadeeth the Prophet (SallAllaho alehi wsallam) said:

When a person leads a Salaah (Prayers) in Jamaa’ah (congregation), let him make it short, as there may be around the weak, the sick and the elderly. However, when a person offering Salaah (Prayers) alone, he may extend his prayer as much as he wishes.

In accordance with Islamic tradition, we Muslims should do our best to respect the elderly and especially our parents. It is a bad precedent to send our elders to senior citizen centres or nursing homes. The presence of our parents in our own houses is a blessing from Allah. Their presence will bring peace, happiness, concord, tranquillity, mercy and reward from Allah (SWT). We should try our best to request our parents to stay with us at our own houses so as to receive the blessings of Allah (SWT).

We should set a good example for the non-Muslim to do the same with their parents. If we take the initiative and practise it, we will establish a society in which there will be no generation gap. There won’t be animosity between the young generation towards the elderly. Instead, there will be kindness, respect, sympathy, concern, and love toward one another.

Back