How to Deal With the Elderly Person Who
Does Not Pray or Commits Acts of Disobedience
Question to Shaykh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Badr:
“How is the elderly person dealt with, if
he does not establish the prayer or if he commits some of the (acts) of
disobedience?
Answer:
We know from what has preceded (i.e. in
the lecture) that the elderly person has rights due to his old age; the rights
of the elderly, even if he is not a Muslim, then how about the one who abandons
the prayer completely?
This (person) is a disbeliever due to the
saying of the Messenger (‘alayhi salat wasallam): “the covenant between us and
them is the prayer, so whoever abandons it has disbelieved. “And the ahaadeeth
regarding this affair are many.
*[Note: Listener/Reader: The scholars
differ with regards to the affair of the person who abandons the Salaah out of
laziness, as to whether he is a disbeliever or not; so refer to the different
arguments of the scholars on the topic. See the arguments of Shaikh Uthaymeen,
Shaykh Bin Baaz, Shaykh Al-Albaanee (rahimahumullaah)]
However, regardless of this (i.e. this elder’s
abandonment of the prayer), the rights of the elderly remain; so he is shown
kindness and is dealt with in accordance with what such rights necessitates, in
winning over his heart, and with the hope that Allaah (Taabaraka Wata-Aalaa)
will guide him and return him to correctness, especially if he is a father or a near relative, then a
person should deal with him in the
worldly life with goodness and kindness. In this also is winning over his
heart, and perhaps Allaah (Subhaanahu wa ta’ala) will grant him guidance and
success.
And we did come across (i.e. in the
lecture) the saying of Allaah: “But if they (both) strive with you to make you
join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the
world kindly.” [Luqmaan: Ayah: 15].
He (Allaah) did not say: disrespect both
of them, or cut off the relationship (between you and them), rather He said: “but
behave with them in the world kindly.” So, (you) behave kindly even if he is a
disbeliever or polytheist; and even if he is caller to polytheism and
disbelief, the father is (still) treated with kindness, also the mother and the
close relative; so that this kindness becomes a means to winning over his heart
and to draw it close to the truth and goodness.
And if he is from the sinful believers,
then also he is to be dealt with in a good way and at the same time give him
advise with etiquettes, without raising oneself above him, arrogance or what is
similar to that; rather you you advise him with etiquettes, gentleness and wise
mannerisms, and perhaps Allaah (Tabaaraka-Wata-Aalaa) will bless him with guidance and bestow him steadfastness.
[Source: www.al-badr.net]
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