The World Federation One Stop Fiqh
Search
Menu

Ask an Alim

Why does God takes the gift of young age from us ?

Q:

My question is about old age…..,I belive that old age is a curse that we suffer so we can get rid off of our sins but I also think that it is like an unfair phenomenon cause young age is a gift of God then why God takes that gift away from us ?

A:

As-salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah

Thanks for your question

Aging is a fact and a part of circle of life, Allah (swt) says in 36:68 “whomever We give a long life, We cause him to regress in creation”. There could be many reasons for old age in creation like:

  • our world is finite and has limited sources, there is a step by step progress and circle in life, so Aging is the way to end this material life.
  • Also the wisdom and experience that comes with age cannot be compared with youth, Imam Ali as says in Nahj al-Balagha “I love the opinion of an old man more than the determination of a young man” (Nahj al-Balagha, saying 86)
  • Another point is taking lessons and cherishing the opportunity of youth (We usually do not appreciate God’s blessings(;
  • Also, another valuable lesson in old age is breaking arrogance, when we see what will happen to us in few years we notice that we are not that strong and powerful that we thought.

regards

Sheikh Mahdi Mosayyebi