Old Age
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as)
Reference: The Great Muslim Scientist and
Philosopher,
Jafar As-Sadiq
Two types of diseases
Jaber asked: “Why do we get old?”
Imam Sadiq replied: “Diseases are of two kinds:
Acute and chronic.
1. Acute:- These diseases come all of a sudden. They
are either cured or they kill the patients.
2. Chronic:- These diseases are also of two kinds:
2(i) Some of them have a prolonged life.
2(ii) Some are incurable.
Old age is a chronic disease, which is incurable.”
A Benefit of following the commands
of Allah
Jaber said: “It is the first time I hear from you that
old age is a kind of chronic disease.”
Imam said: “All of us suffer from this disease.”
“Some at an early age and some at an advanced
age.”
“People who obey the commands of Allah and
abstain from the things prescribed under the Islamic
code, take a long time to age, but others get old
soon.”
Do we become childish in old age?
Jaber asked: “Why do we become dull minded and childish in our old
age?”
Imam replied: “It is not a general rule. Everyone does not become dull
minded in his old age.”
“Some people are dull minded and stupid when they are young, but
because of their blooming age no one takes much notice of their stupidity.
But as they grow older it becomes apparent and noticeable.”
“Those people who are intelligent and wise when they are young, remain
so in their old age. However, they do not retain physical strength of their
youth. The store of knowledge of the learned people may not be very big
when they are young, but increases with age and becomes very big in old
age.”
“Moreover, in old age, their wits become sharper, views become
balanced, and judgement becomes impartial. They always side and
support the just cause.”
Do we become forgetful in old age?
Jaber asked: “It is said that we become
forgetful in our old age. Is it a general rule?”
Imam replied: “No. Its not the old age which
makes one forgetful.”
“It is the decrease in the power of memory.
The power of memory is just like any other
power of human body. Every power, which is
not used, becomes weak. A young man, who
does not use his memory, becomes forgetful.”
Factors which can cause forgetfulness
in old age
Imam continued: “Old people will become forgetful if:
1. they confine themselves within the four walls of their houses,
2. do not pay any attention to their environment,
3. do not take any notice of the events and happenings of the world,
4. and add nothing to their reservoir of memory.”
“These people start losing gradually what they had stored in their memory
till they forget everything!”
“Sometimes they do not even recognise their own grandchildren!”
“But a person, who does not let the weakness of old age deteriorate his
power of memory, will find that his memory is even stronger compared to
when he was young.”
“Since he has been using his memory throughout his whole life, he finds it
at its zenith in his old age.”
Hence, it is important that we continue to use our memory, keep
learning and remain active even in our old age.