Then, will they not exercise their reason?
Then, will they not exercise their reason?” The (peace be upon him and his household) while explaining the noble status of an elderly person said: “The elderly among his family is like a Prophet among his community [2] .” It is on this basis that Islam enjoins a Muslim to honour and respect the elderly citizens and the one who does not do so is indeed not a Muslim: “He is not one of us who does not have mercy upon our young, nor knows the honor of our elders [3] .” In addition, honoring those who have reached old age will guarantee protection against every calamity on the Day of Resurrection.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever honors the grey hair due to old age, Allah will definitely save him from the panic of the Day of Judgment. [4] Imam Sajjad (PBUH) while expounding on the rights of the elderly in his book, ‘Treatise on Rights’ said: The right of him who is older than you is that you show reverence toward him because of his age and you honour him because he entered Islam before you.
You leave off confronting him in a dispute, you do not precede him in a path, you do not go ahead of him, and you do not consider him foolish. If he should act foolishly toward you, you put up with him and you honour him because of the right of Islam and the respect due to it [5] .
These verses, along with numerous Hadiths, emphasize the natural process of ageing and the need for a Muslim to care for and honor those at this critical stage of life, as they are like a Prophet in a family and a blessing in society. This emphasis indicates that caring for the elderly is not only a social duty but also a form of worship and a means of attaining divine reward.
On the other hand, it is pertinent to mention that Islamic ethics provide a framework for interactions with the elderly, focusing on certain principles. These principles are not only theoretical but are meant to be actively practiced in daily life, influencing how Muslims interact with and care for the elderly. These include: – Compassion: Showing kindness and understanding towards the elderly, recognizing their vulnerabilities and needs.