and would mention them by their appellations instead of their names. In short! Every time they would regard their status and position, and would show good manners towards the elders and younger people.

But Alas! Now almost everyone amongst us is unaware of these Islamic rules of decorum and ethical codes, unaware of good manners and etiquettes and unaware of Shar’i rules and laws. Everyone is struggling hard to excel others in indecency and unethical attitude trampling the honour and sanctity of our respectful social living system. Today’s son not only sees his father in his eyes but also talks to him holding his collar. Today’s daughter, though, does not play the role of helping hand, but hurts her mother surely. The younger ones are not respectful; the elders are not affectionate; the friends are not loyal; neighbours are not merciful; the daughter is not polite; the mother is strict; student is not decent; teacher is not a man of virtuous character. By dint of the deprivation of Islamic teachings and righteous company, neither do parents give Islamic upbringing to their children nor do children serve their parents.

In short! These are our own disrespectful acts and careless attitude that we ourselves have caused destruction to the sanctity of our family and social life. Though when we look into the blessed lives of our pious predecessors رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَالٰی and the blessed Sahabah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی عَـنْـهُم, we learn that they used to show utmost respect and reverence towards their elders.

Respect of spiritual guide

‘Allamah Imam Abu Qaasim ‘Abdul Kareem Qushayri رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه used to appear in the court of his spiritual guide showing great respect. He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه said: In my early days whenever I would join the gathering of my spiritual guide (Sayyiduna Abu ‘Ali Daqqaaq رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه), I would observe Sawm on that day then I would do ritual bath thereafter I would join the blessed gathering of my spiritual guide. Many times it happened that I would reach the door of Madrasah but would return out of shyness. If ever I would enter and reach in the middle of my Madrasah, a sensation would pass through my body and my whole body would turn numb to such extent that even if a needle would be pricked I perhaps would not feel anything.

(Ar-Risala-tul-Qushayriyyah, pp. 328)