Search
How the Prophet of Allah(PBUH)treat- ed the elderly
Introduction:
Human beings go through many stages during the journey of life. Man begins life as a weak newborn infant, then he becomes a strong young man and finally he becomes a weak elderly person.
Allah Says (what means):
«Allah is the one who created you from weakness, then made after weakness strength, then made after strength weakness and white hair. He creates what He wills, and He is the Know- ing, the Competent.»
[Quran: 30:54]
Islam is emphasises on caring for people who reach old age and made those who reach this stage entitled to greater care and special treatment.
This is because those who reach this stage are described to be weak and require greater attention, and this is why it is considered a critical stage in the life cycle.
He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was kind to people in general, how- ever, the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, treated older people in an especially considerate manner. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sal- lam, attached special importance to them and cared for them greatly.
He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was extremely compassionate and kind with all the people who were weak, like the elderly, women and children.
As seen in numerous Prophetic narrations the Prophet of Allah, sal- lallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, considered respecting the elderly as a way to show reverence for The Almighty. Prophetic narrations imply every as- pect of respect and care for the elderly; health care, psychological care, social care, economic care, providing education, and other forms of care that the international community calls for today.
In fact, the Prophet ofAllah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, disavowed those who do not venerate the elderly and considered them removed from Muslim society.
