Art. #23:  HOW DO MUSLIMS TREAT THE ELDERLY?  In the Muslim world there are no old people’s homes.  The strain of caring for one’s parents in this most difficult time of their lives is considered an honor and blessing, and an opportunity for great spiritual growth.  God asks that we not only pray for our parents, but act with limitless compassion, remembering that when we were helpless children they preferred us to themselves.  Mothers are particularly honored:  The Prophet taught that, “Paradise lies at the feet of mothers”.  When they reach old age, Muslim parents are treated mercifully, with the same kindness and selflessness.
                                                                  
In Islam, serving one’s parents is a duty second only to prayer, and it is their right to expect it.  It is considered despicable to express any irritation when, through no fault of their own, the old become difficult.

The Qur’an says:  “Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and be kind to parents.  If either or both of them reach old age with you, do not say ‘uff’ to them or chide them, but speak to them in terms of honor and kindness.  Treat them with humility, and say, ‘My Lord! Have mercy on them, for they did care for me when I was little’. ” (17:23-4)

REBUTTAL:  There are valid reasons why there are no “old people’s homes” in Islam.  First and foremost, there are not that many “old people” represented, as population percentages of Muslim countries.  More than half the population of Muslim countries is sixteen years of age or less.  Secondly, there is little profit motive for the establishment of old people’s homes in the Muslim world.  In more open and affluent societies, where a family has income from both spouses, care for the elderly can be afforded and provided either by relatives or by social services.  In most of the backward societies of Islam, where women are not allowed to work outside the home, they become the unpaid care-givers of older relatives.  Additionally, few countries of the Muslim world can afford anything beyond the bare basics of social services.  The average gross family income of the entire Muslim world, using United Nation statistics of 2000, is less than $7,000 a year, even after taking into consideration the billions of petrodollars and other currencies flowing into several Muslim countries.  So much for bragging about caring for the elderly!