Today we will be discussing  another very important concept in Islam, today we will be discussing the importance of respecting elders in Islam.

Some morals are not only Islamic but universal. These morals or lessons are present in every religion, but some religions emphasize on certain mannerisms or morals more than others. In the Religion of Islam, respecting the elders is considered a very important matter. 

Islam is the religion of compassion and justice, a religion that teaches perfect morals and forbids bad conduct, a religion that grants man his dignity, if he adheres to the laws of Allah.

There can be no doubt that Islam has given the elderly a special status, as there are texts which urge Muslims to respect and honor them.

Care of the elderly in Islam is based on a number of focal points, including the following:

Firstly, Man is an honored creature and has an honorable status in Islam.

Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And indeed We have honored the Children of Adam, and We have carried them on land and sea, and have provided them with At-Tayyibaat (lawful good things), and have preferred them above many of those whom We have created with a marked preferment” [al-Isra’ 17:70]

So the elderly, as sons of Adam, are included in this high status, based on the general meaning of this verse.

Secondly Muslim society is the society of mutual compassion and coherence Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. And those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves” [al-Fath 48:29]

And Allah (SWT) says, describing the believers (interpretation of the meaning):

“Then he became one of those who believed (in the Islamic Monotheism) and recommended one another to perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to pity and compassion.

They are those on the Right Hand (i.e. the dwellers of Paradise)” [al-Balad 90:17-18]

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah (SWT) be upon him) described the believers as being like a single body. He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The likeness of the believers in their mutual love, mercy and compassion is that of the body; if one part of it complains, the rest of the body joins it in staying awake and suffering fever.”

And he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”

Not only that but  Respecting the elderly and honouring them are characteristics of the Muslim society

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah (SWT) be upon him) said: “Part of glorifying Allah (SWT) is honoring the grey-haired Muslim.”

An old man came wanting to see the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah (SWT)  be upon him) and the people did not make way for him. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah (SWT) be upon him) said: “He is not one of us who does not show mercy to our young ones and respect our old ones.”

So in which ways does the Muslim society take care of its elderly?

Firstly by Enjoining good treatment of parents. This is one of the ways in which the elderly are cared for in Islam, because parents are usually elderly. The command to honour one’s parents is accompanied with the command to believe in Allaah alone (Tawheed) and the prohibition on associating others with Him (shirk) in many verses, for example Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Worship Allaah and join none with Him (in worship); and do good to parents…” [al-Nisa’ 4:36]

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents” [al-Isra’ 17:23]

It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: I asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), “Which deed is most beloved to Allah?” He said, “Prayer offered on time.” He said, “Then what?” He said, “Then honoring one’s parents.” He said, “Then what?” He said, “Jihad for the sake of Allah.” He told me that if I wanted to ask him more, he would tell me more.

The Muslim community has a clear-cut social hierarchy that places elders at the top. Although an elder can be literally anyone who is older, the term is most often used to describe those who have advanced into old age. Elderly individuals are highly valued not only because they are a source of wisdom and experience but also because of their special status in the eyes of Allah. Therefore, they are highly respected, their opinions are heeded and their wishes are accommodated whenever possible.

The Quran and the Hadith are very clear on the proper attitude and behavior toward one's elders. One hadith tells the story of how a crowd of listeners around the Prophet Muhammad failed to make room for an elderly man to get closer. The Prophet observed this failure and said, "Whoever fails to ... honor our elders is not one of us." Another hadith says that serving the elderly is akin to serving Allah. The Quran says 11 times to be kind to elderly parents in particular; in fact, mistreating or showing disrespect to elders can result in being denied admission to paradise. Twice the Quran states, "We have enjoined on humankind kindness to parents."

It is important for Muslims to show deference at all times when interacting with elders, especially if they have a familiar relationship (such as grandfather and grandson). For example, when walking together the younger should walk slightly behind and to the right to communicate that the elder comes first. The elder should both enter and exit any place before the younger. In conversation, the elder should always be allowed to speak first and should be genuinely heeded. When speaking to an elder, a younger Muslim should use a calm, gentle tone; even in debate, the younger must remain deferential. Becoming angry or argumentative is considered disrespectful.

The family is sacred within the Muslim community. Families are led by the eldest male (and to a lesser extent, the eldest female), who has the final say on major family decisions and exercises a great deal of influence. When the elders are no longer physically or mentally able to play a leadership role, they are lovingly cared for and prayed over by their families. It is considered extremely shameful to put an elderly family member in a nursing home or to become irritated when he or she becomes difficult. Muslims in general consider the opportunity to care for their elderly family members a great honor.

Even if they are not interacting directly with an elder, Muslims have subtle ways of displaying respect. For example, younger Muslims rise when an older person enters the room. They also refrain from touching or making eye contact with the older person as an act of deference. When meeting a group of people, the eldest is always greeted first and given the most attention. When speaking to or even about an elder Muslim, younger Muslims always use proper titles and names rather than nicknames.

The Holy Prophet (SAW) says: He isn’t of us who isn’t 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 aren’t 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 Qur’an (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 Qur’an by heart (Hafiz) is to honor the Holy Qur’an; 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 Qur’anic Verse:

It is Allah who creates you, then makes you die; and some reach the age of dotage, so that having acquired knowledge they don’t know a thing. Allah is indeed All-Knowing and All-Mighty. (16:70)