turns white, it says to the other [hair], prepare yourselves, the time of death has approached.”

(Tafseer Baghawi, vol. 3, p. 495; Tafseer Durr-e-Mansoor, vol. 7, p. 32)

We have learned that old age is also a sign of death. This is the age when one should give up his desires and love for the world and instead, turn to Allah. He should spend his remaining days in the remembrance of death and the preparation for the Hereafter. Our pious predecessors رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ would spend their entire lives obeying Allah Almighty and contemplating the Hereafter. When they would find a white hair in their beard or the hair of their head, they would live in seclusion and engage in worship and devotion.

Seclusion of a saint

Sayyiduna Iyaas Bin Qatadah رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ was the chief of his nation. One day, he رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ spotted a white hair in his beard and made Du’a, saying: ‘O Allah Almighty! I seek refuge in You from sudden calamities. I know that death awaits me and I cannot escape it.’ Then he رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ went to his people and said: ‘O Banu Sa’d! I had dedicated my youth for you and now, spare for me my old-age.’ Thereafter, he رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ went to his house and busied himself in worship until his last breath. (Bahr-ud-Dumu’, p. 112)

Dear Islamic brothers! An elderly person is closer to death. However, despite acknowledging this, some elderly people do not refrain from the sins of swearing, watching movies and dramas; telling lies, tale-telling, backbiting etc. Moreover, they remain obsessed with making money. It is stated in a blessed hadith, the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said: ‘The son of Adam grows old but two [desires] in him remain young: desire for wealth and the desire for life.’

(Sahih Muslim, Kitab-uz-Zakah, p. 521, Hadith 1047)

Likewise, the Prophet  صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said: “The heart of an old person feels young for the love of two things: love for long life and wealth.”

(Sahih Muslim, Kitab-uz-Zakah, p. 521, Hadith 1046)