By Imam Murtadha Gusau
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our beloved master Muhammad, the last of Prophets, on his family, and all his companions.
Dear brothers and sisters! In the radiant teachings of Islam, the virtue of respecting the elders is emphasised as a sacred duty. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) has left us profound guidance on the importance of treating the elderly with honour, compassion, and kindness. Let’s explore this noble aspect of Islamic etiquette that contributes to the flourishing of a compassionate and respectful society.
In a Hadith narrated by Abu Dawud, the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) declared:
“It is out of glorification of Allah, Almighty, to honour a gray-haired old Muslim.”
This profound statement establishes a direct connection between showing respect to elders and glorifying Allah. The elderly hold a special status in the sight of Allah, and by honouring them, we elevate our devotion to the Almighty Allah.
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) emphatically stated:
“He is not one of us who does not have mercy on our young and does not respect our elders.” [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi]
The usage of “not one of us” in this Hadith underscores that disrespecting the elders is a serious transgression. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) distances himself from those who commit this sin, highlighting the severity of such behaviour.
Respecting one’s elders is a hallmark of noble character, reflecting in various aspects of our lives. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) cautioned against a disrespectful attitude towards elders, emphasising the significance of maintaining a dignified demeanour. Belittling elders through ridicule, jokes, or rude speech is condemned, as it contradicts the essence of true Islamic character.
Regrettably, in contemporary times, the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) regarding the upbringing of children and the importance of respecting elders are often overlooked. Parents play a pivotal role in instilling these values in their children. Sadly, instances of disrespect, even in public spaces, have become prevalent. The Prophet’s guidance reminds us of the consequences. He said:
“If a young man honours an elderly person on account of his age, Allah appoints someone to honour him in his old age.” [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi]
Respected brothers and sisters! Islamic teachings provide powerful motivations for respecting the elders through the Qur’an, Hadith and practical examples from the Prophet Muhammad’s life. This respect is considered an integral part of faith and a sign of reverence for Allah Himself.
No doubt, respect for elders is a core Islamic value. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) stated:
“He is not one of us who does not show mercy to our young ones, nor acknowledge the right of our elders.”
This highlights that honouring the elders is fundamental to Islamic identity. Respecting the aged Muslim is also seen as an act of reverence towards Allah.
Furthermore, there is a promise of reciprocal reward:
“If a young man honours an elderly person on account of his age, Allah appoints someone to honour him in his old age.”
The Qur’an also strongly emphasises kindness to parents, especially as they grow old, commanding Muslims not to speak disrespectfully to them but to address them with generosity. You can find the full Qur’anic verse here (17:23) in reference.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) demonstrated humility and respect for the elderly. When Abubakar brought his elderly father to him, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) suggested he could have visited the father at his home, showing deep respect. It was also his practice to have the elders speak first in gatherings. The companions, even in positions of power, exemplified this respect. Umar Ibn al-Khattab, for example, would secretly assist an old, blind woman.
The sermon excerpt reminds younger Muslims that their current strength will fade with age, referencing the Qur’anic verse (30:54) that speaks of Allah creating humans in states of weakness, then strength, then weakness again. It encourages treating elders gently and patiently, seeing them as a source of blessings, and honouring them as a way to honour Allah, stating that kindness is a debt that will be repaid.
It is reported from Abu Asim, who said:
I heard Sufyan al-Thawri, while a young man from among the students of knowledge was present in his gathering. This youth was putting himself forward, speaking at length, and displaying arrogance due to his knowledge over those older than himself.
So Sufyan became angry and said:
“This is not how the Salaf were! One of them would never make himself a leader, nor take the foremost seat in a gathering, until he had pursued this knowledge for thirty years. And here you are, showing arrogance toward one older than you! Get up from me, and let me not see you draw near my gathering again!” [Al-Baihaqi and al-Madkhal]
Look at how Sufyan became angry for the sake of Allah, and out of reverence for knowledge and its senior bearers.
So what then would he have said—may Allah have mercy on him—if he had seen our time today?
If he had seen the shallow youth, known for nothing but their hollow posts on Facebook and other social media accounts—those who plunge into every controversy and comment on every calamity, declaring:
“And as for me, I see… and I think…”
If only you had not written, nor opined, nor sat at the head of any gathering!
May Allah have mercy upon Imam Sufyan, and raise him among the righteous, ameen.
A Muslim should always respect his elders. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:
“I dreamt that I was cleaning my teeth with a Siwak, and two persons came to me. One of them was older than the other and I gave the Siwak to the younger. I was told that I should give it to the older and so I did.” [Bukhari]
Respect is due to our elders, especially those who have good hearts and have proven themselves with good deeds.
Anas Ibn Malik (RA) said:
“Our elders from the Companions of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) forbade us from reviling and attacking the leaders and forbade us from deceiving them and from hating them, so fear Allah and be patient for indeed the affair is close.” [Ibn Abi Asim reported it in As-Sunnah]
Islam is the fountain of mercy, sentiments, and sympathy. Hence, it is not strange to see Islam paying attention to the elderly and instructing a Muslim to give them compassion. There are texts from the Qur’an and the sayings of the noble Prophet, Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and his pure Household (AS) on how a Muslim should treat an elderly person. These include:
Always honours and be merciful to the elderly. For respecting them is considered a form of worship in the sight of Allah while disrespecting them is absolutely rebuked, and it is against the pristine teachings of Islam.
In case of necessity, always render assistance to the elderly.
Consult the elderly for guidance on personal and collective decisions, for they are guides in a family and the society similar to a Prophet of Allah.
Never insult or scold an elderly. Because a disrespect to them is reprimanded by Allah, by the noble Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and his pure Household.
Allow our elderly to live with us. It is a bad habit to send them to nursing homes just because they are considered as nuisances to the society. Wal iyazu Billah!
In conclusion, the teachings of Islam emphasise the divine significance of respecting elders. This virtue is not only a reflection of noble character but also a means to earn Allah’s favour. As we navigate our lives, let us uphold the principles laid out by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), fostering a society where respect for elders is ingrained in the hearts of the young.
May Allah guide us in embodying these virtues and spreading the light of Islamic ethics in our communities, ameen.
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Prayers, peace and mercy are upon our beloved master, Muhammad, the son of Abdullah (Peace be upon him), his family and Companions.
Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene’s Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com or +2348038289761 or +2348024192217.