Opinion | Elders – A Lively Treasure! 

Elders in our homes’ possess wealth of insight thus making themselves a source of solace, tranquility and stability

“Listen to your elders advice. Not because they are always right but because they have more experience of being wrong”.  Melchor Lim
Undoubtedly becoming elderly is cumbersome. It is worrisome in many ways as ailments of organs become common in this age. People who have attained this age may surely face uneasiness, weakness, fragility,fatigue, dizziness which they don’t have thought of. But elderly people are the blessings,they act as treasure in one’s family. Their presence in one’s family adds the charm and guides how to move ahead in life. Their experience unarguably paves way for achieving success in life, how to deal with challenges. They are the ideal mentor. With a lot of experience over the years they can judge the situation and give constructive advice.They have the power to solve any issue amicably in families.

It is quite evident that elders are wiser and more knowledgeable than us. They are our assets. Let me share an important story of a lesson entitled “The Mountain That Ate  The People” which is actually a Japanese folk story about a feudal Lord and the impact of his decree on his people.In the story we get the clear picture of how elderly people are an invaluable treasure for us. The Japanese lord issued an order that those over the age of sixty-one are useless and should be disposed of in the dangerous mountain near the city.He enforced this decree and those who don’t follow his order get severe punishment. So many elderly/old aged get severe treatment by their siblings in order to comply. One day a farmer was devastated when her mother turns the age of sixty-one, his mother convinced him to take her away to the mountain, but while going up towards the mountain,his mother broke twigs and threw them down to mark the trail for her son to follow and find his way back home,this scenario changed his mindset and he returned back his mother secretly and hid her mother in a small room. He went against the decree. Many years passed, the feudal Lord was defeated by the neighboring overlord and the feudal Lord begged for mercy for his people. The overlord proposed a riddle for him to solve that could be the condition for mercy to his people.The feudal Lord failed to solve the riddle.The feudal lord then proclaimed that whosoever gets the answer will be rewarded with a hefty amount. The poor farmer’s mother knew the answer of these riddles at an ease and saved countless lives in his country.
Having an old person in your family is having a living golden treasure. Their presence is to be cherished. With their extraordinary experience they can be productive in reshaping the future. Historically people of older ages were always treated with respect by the people living in the community. In the primitive times the magicians and the wise men were always the seniors because they had obtained all the wisdom that comes through the experience and they were able to provide good advice to the next generation. When elders are being respected and feel honoured they in return give the blessings/ duas that will definitely boost the ways in achieving desired goals. Always speak to them with kind words and a gentle tone of voice. From the islamic point of view, the Quran says, about elders/parents, treat them with goodness if either of them or both reach old age in your presence don’t say the uff. Treat them with respect and honour.
Islam primarily places the responsibility of looking after the elders. With their life experience they have immense knowledge of their past,and can guide us from time to time thus helping us in decision-making as well. The time I spend with my elders is sometimes the best moment of my entire day. It is said that whenever you want to do big work, then you should take blessings from elders. Elders are known as spiritual fathers. Unfortunately many of our elders may struggle with health issues, loneliness, and also become disconnected from others. It is essential that we need to keep in our thoughts and prayers. Each wrinkle on their face recites the story of a decade. Looking at the surroundings the terrific cases of I’ll treatment is being viewed against elders that really shocks one’s conscience. Their presence in the family, and advice resonates in one’s mind after they leave this temporary world.Those families where an elder wakes up early and loudly recites the  verses of holy Quran are the blessings of that family. We pray to the Almighty that the shadow of elders may remain upon us.

– The writer is a teacher by profession and teaches at BHS Diver Lolab. He can be reached at farhaanqysar@gmail.com