How Do Muslims Treat the Elderly?
In the Islamic world, one rarely finds "old people's homes." The
strain of caring for one's parents in this most difficult time of
their lives is considered an honor and a blessing and an
opportunity for great spiritual growth. In Islam, it is not enough
that we only pray for our parents, but we should act with limitless
compassion, remembering that when we were helpless children, they
preferred us to themselves. Mothers are particularly honored. When
Muslim parents reach old age, they are treated mercifully, with
kindness and selflessness.
In Islam, serving one's parents is a duty second to prayer, and it
is their right to expect it. It is considered despicable to express
any irritation when, through no fault of their own, the old become
difficult.
God has said:
{Your Lord has commanded that you
worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents. If one
of them or both of them reach old age with you, do not say to them
a word of disrespect, or scold them, but say a generous word to
them. And act humbly to them in mercy, and say, 'My Lord, have
mercy on them, since they cared for me when I was small.'}
[Quran 17:23-24]
{وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا
إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ
عِندَكَ الْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَا
أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا
﴿٢٣﴾ وَاخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ
الرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي
صَغِيرًا} [الإسراء:23-24]
Transliteration: Wa Qađá Rabbuka 'Allā
Ta`budū 'Illā 'Īyāhu Wa Bil-Wālidayni 'Iĥsānāan 'Immā Yablughanna
`Indaka Al- Kibara 'Aĥaduhumā 'Aw Kilāhumā Falā Taqul Lahumā 'Uffin
Wa Lā Tanharhumā Wa Qul Lahumā Qawlāan Karīmāan(23) Wa Akhfiđ
Lahumā Janāĥa Adh-Dhulli Mina Ar-Raĥmati Wa Qul Rrabbi Arĥamhumā
Kamā Rabbayānī Şaghīrāan
By islam-guide.com
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