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Advice on Looking after the Elderly

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by Seekersguidance.org

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Can you give some Islamic advice and or examples for taking care of elderly persons.

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

The governing principle with regards to taking care of the elderly are the words of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), “Anyone who does not show mercy to our young people nor honor our old people is not one of us.” [Tirmidhi; Abu Dawud]

The basis is that one deals with them respectfully. Bukhari relates in his Adab al-Mufrad that al-Ash`ari said, “Part of respect for Allah is to show respect to an old Muslim”.

Ghazali indicates in his Ihya `Ulum al-Din that respect is a right of the old. By not giving the elderly their rights, one may be oppressing them. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Oppression will be manifold darknesses on the day of judgement.”

Being of Service and Upholding Good Character

Moreover, one should consider it an opportunity to be of service to one’s fellow believers. One of the spiritual masters said, “Whoever does not serve will regret it.”

Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Allah will relieve anyone who relieves a believer of one of the afflictions of this world, of one of the afflictions of the Day of Rising. Allah will give ease in this world and the Next to anyone who eases the hardship of another. Allah will veil anyone who veils another Muslim in this world and the Next. Allah will help His slave as long as His slave is helping his brother.” [Muslim]

Abu Ruqayya Tamim ibn Aws ad-Dari reported the Prophet(Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The deen is good counsel.” We said, “For whom?” He said, “For Allah, His Book, His Messenger, the Imams of the Muslims and their common people.” In short, the sunna is caring. One genuinely cares for other believers, and strives with sincerity and beautiful character to be of service to them.

If one is taking care of the elderly, tending to their needs, and fulfilling their rights, one can be hopeful of an unimaginable reward from Allah.

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

This answer was collected from Seekersguidance.org. It’s an online learning platform overseen by Sheikh Faraz Rabbani. All courses are free. They also have in-person classes in Canada.