Old People, Our Asset
...ak and cannot look after themselves. It is now our duty to look after their needs. They are an asset not a burden on us. They need and deserve our love and attention, not sympathy. One must remember that one day he will be old and will require the support of his children and it is true; ‘As you sow; so shell you reap. Islam teaches us to respect and love our elders whereas in the west the old people are neglected and are sent to old homes. Apart from this aspect the old people through their experience are very useful. As a true story goes that once a marriage party was going to another village to bring the bride. The bride’s relatives laid a condition that no one over 30 years should accompany the “barrat”. The youth smelling some foul play talked to their elders about this strange condition that said that bride’s relatives were definitely going to play some trick. It was therefore decided that one elderly person would accompany them in a “mutka”. Then this suggestion was acted upon and they departed along with “mutka wala”. When the barrat reached the bride’s village, it was thoroughly inspected to find lest there should be any old person. After being satisfied they came out with a strange demand. They said that they would send the bride with the barrat if all the participants of barrat ate a goat each. It was very difficult, so they decided to consult the mutkawalla. He told them not to worry and asked the bride’s relatives to slaughter one goat at a...