Hadhrat Ibraahim Khawwaas (rahmatullah alayh) said: “A person who claims to be a repository
of Ma’rifat of Allah, but perceives that he derives comfort from others, Allah Ta’ala will
ultimately afflict him with severe trials and calamities. However, if he repents and abandons his
error, Allah Ta’ala will save him from the calamities. If he does not realize and repent, Allah
Ta’ala imposes greed on him, then he hankers after the wealth of others. He is then deprived
from the bounties of this world and the Hereafter. The Qur’aan Majeed says: “He is a loser in
this world and in the Aakhirah.”
THE GOOD FORTUNE OF OLD AGE
OLD AGE IS a wonderful bounty of Allah Ta’ala provided that the duration of old age is spent in virtuous deeds. A man asked Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam): “Who is the best person?” Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “He who has reached an advanced age and his deeds are virtuous.” Then the man asked: “Who is the worst person?” Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) responded: “He who reached an advanced age and his deeds are evil.” Regarding old age, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) also said: “The best of your youth is he who emulates your old people. And the worst of your old people is he who emulates your youth.” Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) had also said that if a young man honours an aged person because of his old age, then Allah Ta’ala will appoint someone to honour him in his old age. In a Hadith it is mentioned that honouring an old man is like honouring Allah Ta’ala
