بزرگ افراد کے ساتھ مروجّہ معاشرتی روىے

ڈاکٹر فرہاد اللہ * منىر خان

Abstract

Mankind is scattered across the surface of the earth in the forms of different religious creeds, tribal affiliations, race, colour and nationalities. Yet they share some traits that are similar and universal to all human societies. These traits include love for children and respect for the elders. However, changing times have eroded some of these positive traits. The condition of senior citizens is not enviable in the West and those following in their footsteps. Children are not fulfilling their natural duty to their old parents, and quite often the elderly are forcefully kicked out of their own houses and accommodated in designated places for the old, run by the state welfare organizations.

Gradual changes are being reported among Muslim societies. In this respect it is important that Islamic teachings as regards the rights of senior citizens and their merited respect be explained. In today's world many institutions, with fancy names, catering for the needs of the elderly have sprung up; i.e. day-care Centre, old age home, paid home care, and shelter houses. Such schemes are meant to take care of the old, the invalids and the helpless. Apparently, all this seems a noble discovery of the new age but the real tragic story behind all this is usually buried hidden beneath the calm facade. This paper will consider the motives and results of such attitudes and arrangements and their solutions offered by the modern society and then present its solutions from the Islamic viewpoint in the light of the Holy Prophet (SWA) Seerah explaining his kind behavior shown towards senior citizens.