Reminder Series

The Pearls of Islam

8th March 2010 23 Rabi Al-Awwal Volume 2 Issue 8

Rights of the Elders - Part One

The Holy Prophet (SAW) says: He isnt of us who isnt kind to our youngsters, and shows no respect to our elders... To grow old is rightly said to pass from passion to compassion. In the words of a Western scholar, About the only good thing you can say about old-age is that it is better than being dead! Hence, in a society where elders arent respected and properly looked after, the social fabric will tear apart. The edifice of Islam stands on the foundation of virtues which are concerned in relation to: society and God. The former class embraces habits, and the latter comprises different forms of worship. Paying respect to elders falls within the first category of virtues afore mentioned. Islam attaches so much importance to it that it is equated with glorifying the Almighty Allah. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is reported to have said: Of the glorification of Allah, certainly it is the honor shown to an old Muslim, the bearer of the Quran (by heart) without treachery therein and keeping aloof from it: and the honor shown to a just king. From the above tradition, it follows that to honor an old-man, is to honor Islam; to honor a reciter of the Quran by heart (Hafiz) is to honor the Holy Quran; and to honor a just king is to honor justice. So, practically honor is shown because of their traits and not their physical selves. This world is a preparatory ground for the next world. It is here that one has to attain perfection in order to realize the mission of his existence. However, he cannot achieve perfection except through his interaction with society, that is, by living with other human beings of all ages. Knowledge, wisdom, experience and observation are the attributes of old-age. Before a human being gets completely senile, he is possessed with these qualities which in fact is testified by the following Quranic Verse: It is Allah who creates you, then makes you die; and some reach the age of dotage, so that having acquired knowledge they dont know a thing. Allah is indeed All-Knowing and All-Mighty. (16:70) Wisdom of the Elderly: The contents of Surah Luqman in the Quran also clearly shows the knowledge and wisdom of the elderly people. This Chapter `Luqman embodies the exhortations of Luqman the sage. These sermons which he delivered to his son, cover a wide range of behavioral aspects of a mans life. If truly acted upon, these can go a long way in strengthening ties between various strata of society. Wisdom of the elderly is universally recognized. H. I. Hayakawa asserted: There is only one thing that age can give you, and that is, Wisdom. Imam Ali (AS) maintained: The advice of old-men is dearer than the bravery of young men. Therefore, in the first place, it is this distinction (of wisdom), which makes the elderly among us worthy of reverence. Anas reports from the Holy Prophet (SAW), as saying: If a young man shows respect to an old-man on account of his old-age, Allah will create for him at his old-age someone who will show him respect, too. Manifestation of respect for elders may take different forms, like: helping them in their day-to-day chores, speaking to them with a greater degree of politeness, ignoring their harshness, following their advice, looking after their socio-economic needs, saving them from physical hardship. Abu Umamah reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) one day came out leaning on a staff. We all stood up for him. However, Islam condemns a person who wishes that others should stand up for him to show respect. The Prophet (SAW) warned: Whoever is pleased that people should show him respect by standing, let him seek his abode in the fire.