Humans care about the affairs of Muslims and leave no issue undiscussed. Among these issues is respect for the elderly as mentioned in Hadith About Respect Of Elders , a matter addressed and encouraged in the Holy Quran. Allah Almighty says: “And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], ‘off,’ and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.” (Quran 17:23).
وقضى ربك ألا تعبدوا إلا إياه وبالوالدين إحسانا إما يبلغن عندك الكبر أحدهما أو كلاهما فلا تقل لهما أف ولا تنهرهما وقل لهما قولا كريما (القرآن الكريم، سورة الإسراء، الآية 23)
Furthermore, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in his hadith about respect of elders: “He is not one of us who does not have mercy on our young and respect our elders.” (At-Tirmidhi). This hadith clearly emphasizes the importance of respecting the elderly and makes it an ethical responsibility for every community member. This is what we will explore in the following lines.
Hadith about respect of elders in arabic
This hadith about respect of elders says The Prophet (peace be upon him) discussed the respect for elders in several hadiths:
In ahadith about respect of elders Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Among the respect for Allah is honoring a Muslim elder, and honoring the carrier of the Quran who is not haughty about it nor does he neglect it, and honoring a just ruler.” (Narrated by At-Tirmidhi; authenticated by Al-Albani)
فقد روى أنس بن مالك (رضي الله عنه) أن النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) قال: “إن من إجلال الله إكرام ذي الشيبة المسلم، وحامل القرآن غير الغالي فيه والجافي عنه، وإكرام ذي السلطان المقسط” (رواه الترمذي؛ وصححه الألباني
In a hadith about respect of elders Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) also narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “By Him in Whose hand my soul is, Allah does not bestow His mercy except on a merciful one.” They said, “All of us are merciful.” The Prophet replied, “Not only that each of you has mercy upon the other, but to have mercy also upon all people.” (Narrated by Abu Ya`la; authenticated by Al-Albani)
روى أنس بن مالك (رضي الله عنه) أن النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) قال: “والذي نفسي بيده، لا يضع الله رحمته إلا على رحيم”. قالوا: “كلنا رحيم”. قال: “ليس برحمة أحدكم صاحبه، ولكن رحمة العامة” (رواه أبو يعلى؛ وصححه الألباني)
Another hadith about respect of elders The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: “He who does not respect the elders, show mercy to the young, and command good and forbid evil is not one of us.” (Narrated by Ahmad; authenticated by Al-Albani)
قول النبي -صلى الله عليه وسلم-: (ليس منَّا مَن لم يُوقِّرِ الكبيرَ ويرحَمِ الصَّغيرَ ويأمُرْ بالمعروفِ ويَنْهَ عن المنكَرِ).[٤]
This hadith about respect of elders emphasizes the importance of respecting elders, showing mercy to all, and adhering to the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in fostering love and compassion among Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
قال سمرة بن جندب: (لقَدْ كُنْتُ علَى عَهْدِ رَسولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عليه وَسَلَّمَ غُلَامًا، فَكُنْتُ أَحْفَظُ عنْه، فَما يَمْنَعُنِي مِنَ القَوْلِ إلَّا أنَّ هَا هُنَا رِجَالًا هُمْ أَسَنُّ مِنِّي).[٥]
Respecting elders in Islam quotes
There are a number of traditional sayings in Islam that convey the same meaning as the hadith about respect of elders, including the following:
- Self-respect is the first sign of life.
- Respect is not just an ornament, but a guardian of virtue.
- Self-respect permeates all aspects of your life.
- No one can gain respect by doing what is wrong.
I hold respect for those who disagree with me just as much as for those who agree with me, and I even appreciate those who are harsh or strict - They cannot take away our self-respect if we do not give it to them.
- Societies do not advance or prosper unless they instill all meanings of nobility, originality, and respect in their children.
- I admire the refined souls that respect themselves and others, ask politely, thank gracefully, and apologize sincerely.
- Do not try to look for the second face of any person, even if you are sure it is bad. It is enough that they respected you and showed you their better side.
- Noble nations do not rise except through work and respect for what their individuals do.
- Love, friendship, and respect do not unite people as much as the hatred of something does.
What does Islam say about respecting elders? and what did the Prophet say about the hadith about respect of elders?
Islam emphasizes respecting the elderly and extending a helping hand to them during their times of weakness and old age. Just as they nurtured us when we were young and unaware, it is now our duty, as they have grown older, to reciprocate their kindness and care.
Just as the Prophet emphasized in the hadith about respect of elders the following Quranic verse also underscores the importance of treating the elderly with respect and kindness:
The following Quranic verse clearly outlines the message of treating the elderly with love and kindness:
“Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to your parents. If one 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.’” [Qur’an, 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 * وَاخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا”
Allah has commanded us to show kindness and respect towards our parents, especially as they enter the stage of needing healthcare after the age of sixty. They are in need of goodness, mercy, and affection from us. Serving the elderly in Islamic teachings is essential for spreading compassion, love, and respect. As Allah says in His Book:
God is He Who created you from weakness, then ordained strength after weakness, then ordained weakness and old age after strength. He creates whatsoever He will, and He is the Knowing, the Mighty.” [Qur’an, 30:54]
“اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ ضَعْفٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنْ بَعْدِ ضَعْفٍ قُوَّةً ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنْ بَعْدِ قُوَّةٍ ضَعْفًا وَشَيْبَةً ۚ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ ۖ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيمُ الْقَدِيرُ”
Read about: hadith on poverty and kufr
Why should we respect our elders in islam?
We must respect the elderly because Islam encourages it. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the necessity of respecting and honoring the elderly for their experience and wisdom. in hadith about respect of elders, He said, “He is not one of us who does not show mercy to our young ones and recognize the rights of our elders.”
As we age, we all desire to receive respect and care. Showing respect to the elderly fosters a sense of community and spreads mercy and respect among people. It is also a cultural and ethical duty: in many cultures, including those influenced by Islamic values, respecting the elderly is considered a fundamental moral obligation that strengthens the social fabric and ethical standards.
What Allah says about respect?
Respecting elders is sacred in Islam, as instructed by the Prophet in hadith about respect of elders, Many Quranic verses emphasize and command this respect. Here is an English translation of some of these verses:
“There are a group of Quranic verses in which Allah has commanded us to respect the elderly and to strive earnestly to spread this culture among young Muslims.”
“The good deed and the evil deed are not equal. Repel evil with what is better; then you will see that one who was once your enemy has become your dearest friend. But none will attain this quality except those who patiently endure and none will attain this quality except those who are truly fortunate.” (Quran, 41:34-35)
“وَلا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلا السَّيِّئَةُ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ * وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ”
“O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them.” (Quran, 49:11)
Surah Al-Hujurat, Ayah 13
“يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا يَسْخَرْ قَومٌ مِّن قَوْمٍ عَسَى أَن يَكُونُوا خَيْرًا مِّنْهُمْ”
“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.” (Quran, 49:13)
“يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ”
These verses emphasize principles of respect, patience, and mutual understanding among people, regardless of differences, in the teachings of Islam.
Conclusion of Hadith About Respect Of Elders
Respecting the elderly is essential in Islam, as emphasized by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in ahadith about respect of elders, who highlighted the importance of honoring them for their wisdom and experience. Respecting and caring for the elderly fosters community, mercy, and respect among people. Additionally, it is a cultural and ethical duty in many societies influenced by Islamic values, reinforcing social fabric and moral standards. As we age, we all desire to receive respect and care, making this practice universally significant.
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FAQS
Is it haram to be bad to your parents if they mistreat you and are very unfair to you?
Yes, it is considered haram (forbidden) to be bad or disrespectful to your parents, even if they mistreat you or are unfair to you. Islam emphasizes respecting and honoring one’s parents regardless of their behavior. The Quran and hadith about respect of elders both stress the duty of kindness and patience towards parents.
What is hadith about respect of elders?
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of respecting elders in hadith about respect of elders. One such Hadith states:
“ليس منا من لم يوقر كبيرنا ويرحم صغيرنا” (رواه الترمذي)
“Whoever does not show respect to our elders and does not show mercy to our young ones is not one of us.” (Narrated by At-Tirmidhi)
What does Islam say about taking care of the elderly?
Islam emphasizes taking care of the elderly in hadith about respect of elders. It is seen as a form of worship and a way to earn Allah’s pleasure. The Quran states:
“وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا.” (الإسراء: 23)
“Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents.” (Surah Al-Isra, 17:23)
How to show respect to elders in Islam?
- Speak to them kindly and with respect.
- Offer help and assistance in their daily needs.
- Listen to their advice and wisdom.
- Avoid raising your voice or arguing with them.
- Spend time with them and keep them company.
What does the Quran say about old people?
The Quran emphasizes the importance of treating the elderly with kindness and respect as the Prophet emphasized in the hadith about respect of elders Allah says:
“وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا.” (الإسراء: 23)
“Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to your parents.” (Surah Al-Isra, 17:23)
How do I deal with emotionally abusive parents in Islam?
Dealing with emotionally abusive parents in Islam can be challenging, but here are some guidelines:
- Maintain respect: Continue to show respect and avoid being disrespectful or abusive in return.
- Set boundaries: Politely establish boundaries to protect your mental and emotional well-being.
- Make dua: Pray for Allah’s guidance, patience, and strength in dealing with the situation.
- Stay calm: Try to remain calm and composed during interactions, avoiding confrontation as much as possible.
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