The position of the elderly and how to interact with them in the narrations of Ahl al-Bayt (AS) (Review study)

The elderly, a part of human society, for who in different religious and non-religious cultures and rituals there is a special place and respect. The elderly, due to their abundant experience of ups and downs of life, may be valuable and very strategic models for the development and promotion of all aspects of human life (both religious and non-religious). As for Islam, as a religion based on love and respect, this age group has a special respect and value; the narrations of Ahl al-Bayt (AS) indicate to various dimensions of the position of the elderly in society and the necessity of protecting their dignity. This frequency of roles requires that their place and function in the religious heritage must be considered and analyzed. In this research, an attempt has been made to do this important.

In this review study, the considered information is extracted and analyzed through studying the contents of the Qur’an, the narrations of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) and related articles, with regard to the keywords “elderly”, “honoring the elderly”, “interaction with the elderly”, “the elderly in Islam” in a total of 25 articles and books under the subject of “elderly”.

According to the narrations of Ahl al-Bayt (AS), there is a direct ratio between the growth and development of human societies and the degree of respect and benefit from the experiences and teachings of the elderly; In other words, old age is not a period of disability and isolation, but a period of service and role-playing, in a different and of course valuable way.

The elderly are the scientific and epistemological authority of human societies. Their experience is a valuable achievement, and a big step towards conquering the new peaks of science and culture. In Islam, there is a direct ratio between increasing age and increasing dignity and respect; this means that old age in Islam is a time of honor, commemoration and sharing experiences with the young generation of society.