The Golden Years

In continuation of the idea from my previous post, the concept of giving back to the community after professional retirement is neither new nor alien to the Islamic ethos. Islam is a religion in consonance with the natural disposition of man. The believer is encouraged to remain productive until his last breath.

Our beloved Prophet advised us:

"If the final hour comes while you have a palm seedling in your hands and there is a possibility to plant it before the hour comes, you should do so."

Even the latest research proves that an inactive lifestyle can accelerate the degeneration of the mind and body, hastening diseases such as dementia and arthritis.

It is especially painful to expect a person who has been active and productive all his life, and is a repository of knowledge, skills, and experience to suddenly stop contributing. Particularly when he is still enjoying good health and vigour.

It is a hallmark of the 'golden years' that a person mellows and becomes more spiritually inclined. Many a time, the senior citizen is far more forthcoming and eager in the race to earn the pleasure of his Lord; because he knows that his time is fast ticking away.

At such an opportune stage of life, we must encourage our skilled and experienced seniors to mentor and guide the community, especially the youngsters.

It is SunnatAllah that with declining years, vitality is replaced by wisdom, and the feebleness of old age is accompanied by insightfulness and experience.

In our society, old age is synonymous with death. But the reality is that death has nothing to do with age. And we are reminded of this fact daily. Death can knock on our door at any time. But death is not a full stop; it is a comma. We acknowledge this reality and continue to remain steadfast in the worship of Allah till the very end. For sincere community service, is no less than the highest form of worship. And a conscientious slave of Allah never really retires. As Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala says, "And worship Allah until there comes to you the certainty (death)." Al Hijr: 99

Life in Islam is continuous toil and strife. This is embodied in the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW and in the lifestyle of his companions and of those who followed them in righteousness.

Abdullah Ibn Mas'oud (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "I loathe a man sitting idle having nothing to do, neither for his Herein nor for his Hereafter."

We may retire from our jobs, but we cannot retire from life. As life continues, we must continue to remain active. Inactivity is nothing but slow death. Work gives direction and structure to life. It is an incontrovertible fact of life. Professional retirement need not mean anything less than a new working environment with open ended horizons. An opportunity where you can benefit the community in ways that tickle your passion. Retirement is not renunciation, but a transformation. It is, finally, an opportunity to exercise your latent aspirations and possible solutions to community problems.

There must be no place for idleness in a Muslim's life, for he feels for his ummah, shares with it its concerns, grieves at its tragedies, and feels its pain. A Muslim is constantly trying to figure out how he can benefit and enrich his community. He is always on the move, undertaking charitable activities, community services, bridging gaps, promoting virtue and preventing vice, advising, guiding others, etc.

Our seniors, with their boundless expertise and experienced guidance, are an inexhaustible asset. Retired doctors can conduct free medical camps in the forgotten and neglected villages. Architects and engineers can work pro bono for charitable institutes. Computer professionals can teach employable skills to the poor youth, etc. No Muslim should remain unoccupied in his golden years, especially when there is so much work that needs to be done.

My respected seniors, your redundancy in the labour market does not diminish your value and worth to the community. Your communal value is equivalent to your resourcefulness and your desire to benefit your fellow beings. As our beloved Prophet said:

"The most beloved people to Allah are those who are most beneficial to people."

Finally, I exhort you to reflect upon and take heed from the supplications of our pious predecessors, highlighting their abiding concern:

"O Allah! Make my ending the most benevolent part of my life, and make the last of my deeds the most righteous of them!"

Sheikh Abdus Salam al-Madani

Founder,

Aspire College of Excellence (Chennai and Bangalore)