HOW DO MUSLIMS TREAT THE ELDERLY?


In the Islamic 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)
HOW DO MUSLIMS VIEW DEATH?
Like Jews and Christians, Muslims believe that the present life is only a trial
preparation for the next realm of existence. Basic articles of faith include: the Day of
Judgement, resurrection, Heaven and Hell. When a Muslim dies, he or she is washed,
usually by a family member, wrapped in a clean white cloth, and buried with a simple
prayer preferably the same day. Muslims consider this one of the final services they
can do for their relatives, and an opportunity to remember their own brief existence
here on earth. The Prophet taught that three things can continue to help a person even
after death; charity which he had given, knowledge which he had taught and prayers
on their behalf by a righteous child.
WHAT DOES ISLAM SAY ABOUT WAR?
Like Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self-defense, in defense of religion, or on
the part of those who have been expelled forcibly from their homes. It lays down strict
rules of combat which include prohibitions against harming civilians and against
destroying crops, trees and livestock. As Muslims see it, injustice would be
triumphant in the world if good men were not prepared to risk their lives in a righteous
cause.
The Qur'an says:
Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not
transgress limits. God does not love transgressors 2:190)
If they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in God for He
is the One that heareth and knoweth all things 8:61)
War, therefore, is the last resort, and is subject to the rigorous conditions laid down by
the sacred law. The term Jihad literally means 'struggle', and Muslims believe that
there are two kinds of Jihad. The other 'Jihad' is the inner struggle which everyone
wages against egotistic desires, for the sake of attaining inner peace.
WHAT ABOUT FOOD?
Although much simpler than the dietary law followed by Jews and the early
Christians, the code which Muslims observe forbids the consumption of pig meat or
any kind of intoxicating drink. The Prophet taught that 'your body has rights over you',
and the consumption of wholesome food and the leading of a healthy lifestyle are seen
as religious obligations. The Prophet said:
'Ask God for certainty (of faith) and well-being; for after
certainty, no one is given any gift better than health!'
ISLAM IN THE UNITED STATES
It is almost impossible to generalize about American Muslims: converts, immigrants,
factory workers, doctors; all are making their own contribution to America's future.
This complex community is unified by a common faith, underpinned by a countrywide
network of a thousand mosques.
Muslims were early arrivals in North America. By the eighteenth century there were
many thousands of them, working as slaves on plantations. These early communities,
cut off from their heritage and families, inevitably lost their Islamic identity as time
went by. Today many Afro-American Muslims play an important role in the Islamic
community.
The nineteenth century, however, saw the beginnings of an influx of Arab Muslims,
most of whom settled in the major industrial centers where they worshipped in hired
rooms. The early twentieth century witnessed the arrival of several hundred thousand
Muslims from Eastern Europe: the first Albanian mosque was opened in Maine in
1915; others soon followed, and a group of Polish Muslims opened a mosque in
Brooklyn in 1928.
In 1947 the Washington Islamic Center was founded during the term of President
Truman, and several nationwide organizations were set up in the fifties. The same
period saw the establishment of other communities whose lives were in many ways
modeled after Islam. More recently, numerous members of these groups have entered
the fold of Muslim orthodoxy. Today there are about five million Muslims in America.
HOW DOES ISLAM GUARANTEE HUMAN RIGHTS?
Freedom of conscience is laid down by the Qur'an itself:
There is no compulsion in religion 2:256)
The life and property of all citizens in an Islamic state are considered sacred whether a
person is Muslim or not. Racism is incomprehensible to Muslims, for the Qur'an
speaks of human equality in the following terms:
made you into nations and tribes, so that you may come to know one
another. Truly, the most honored of you in God's sight is the
greatest 49:13