world and the Hereafter. He is not considered as an honourable person in society either.

Remember! Due to their connection with our parents, we must also respect our maternal and paternal grandparents. In fact, we should treat every elderly person with respect, because an Islamic society fully observes the rights of elderly people as well. In Islam, there is no concept of considering elderly people to be a burden and putting them in an “old people’s home”. It is a distinguishing feature of Islam that it encourages young people to treat the elderly with respect and preserve their honour. In previous times, if any young person walked ahead of any elderly person, Allah Almighty would make him sink into the ground (due to his disrespect).^[1]

Sayyiduna Anas Bin Maalik رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ narrates that the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said: “The young person who respects an elderly person due to his age; in reward for this, Allah Almighty increases his [i.e. the young person’s] dignity through someone else.”^[2]

Therefore, we should respect our elders and obey every permissible command of theirs, so that we can succeed in attaining respect in this world and save ourselves from disgrace in the Hereafter. Our pious predecessors رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ  used to advise their acquaintances and admirers to honour elders and respect them.

Advice to respecting your elders

Having completed his religious studies, Sayyiduna Yusuf bin Khalid Basri رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه, a student of al-Imam al-A’zam Abu Hanifah Nu’man bin Thaabit رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه, sought permission to go to his hometown of Basra. Upon this, Imam al-A’zam رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه replied:

Wait for a few days, so I may advise you regarding certain important issues you will face, such as dealing with people, recognising the status of the