The International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1each year. On December 14, 1990 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons as recorded in Resolution 45/106. The holiday was observed for the first time on October 1, 1991.
WHAT DOES ISLAM SAY ABOUT THE ELDERS?
In Islam every day is the elder persons day. I prefer to say Elder persons instead of Older persons. The rights of parents over their children may be summed up as treating them well in all matters, and behaving with them kindly as Allah says
“And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his parents”
[al-Ahqaaf 46:15]
“And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his parents”
[al-‘Ankaboot 29:8]
“but behave with them in the world kindly”
[Luqmaan 31:15]
“be dutiful and kind to parents” means: treat them kindly in all ways, in word and in deed.
One of the most important acts of worship that the child is asked to do with regard to his parents is to obey them, to do as they ask and to refrain from what they tell him not to do. So if his father tells him to do something, he hastens to do what he is told, and if he tells him not to do something, he hastens to give it up, so long as that does not involve any disobedience towards Allaah and his Messenger, because there is no obedience to any created being if itinvolves disobedience towards the Creator.
Then he can make du'a for them and pray for forgiveness for them, especially when they grow old and weak and are in need of someone to treat them kindly and take care of their needs. Allaah says:
“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour.
24. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young’”
[al-Isra’ 17:23-24]
The Prophet of Islam, said that one if the righteous thing to do after your parents have passed away is to treat your fathers friends in a gracious manner.
It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Dinaar from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar that a man from among the Bedouins met him on the road to Makkah. ‘Abd-Allaah greeted him with salaam, seated him on the donkey that he was riding and gave him a turban that he had been wearing on his head. Ibn Dinar said: We said to him: May Allaah guide you, they are just Bedouins and they would be content with little. ‘Abd-Allaah said: The father of this man was a friend of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab and I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “The best act of kindness is for the son to uphold ties (of friendship) with those who were his father’s friends.” Narrated by Muslim, 2552
According to the above verse, gratitude to God and to parents go hand in hand. Gratitude to God is incomplete without showing gratitude to one's parents. Since being grateful to God is a form of ibadah (worship) which earns heavenly rewards, it can therefore be said that being grateful to one's parents also earns heavenly rewards.
"Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or more attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. And out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say, "my Lord! bestow on them Thy Mercy, even as they cherished me in childhood." (Quran 17: 23-24)
"We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents; in pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth." (Quran 46:15)
Thus, God has enjoined on us to show kindness, respect, and humility to our parents.
What I want to stress today is the command of the Creator regarding Parents..... "do not say uff to them" ie do not say even a single word of disrespect.....
Happy Elders Day....
Obed Khan,
Teacher/Trainer/Life Coach
Vowel Education Academy,
Mumbai.
vowelhelpdesk@gmail.com
