Establishing the Rights of Elderly: A Comparative Discussion between Islamic Laws and General Laws

Generally, the older persons refer to those people who cross the threshold of 60. Naturally, their physical capacity decreases in this age. At this juncture of life, they are in need of assistance from others in carrying out their normal activities. Unfortunately, many old people are forced to isolate themselves from their families and live their lives in the old home. For this reason, in various countries in the world, the rights of the older persons are being taken seriously both socially and on state level. In order to protect the rights of older persons, the Government of Bangladesh has also approved the National Policy on Older Persons 2013, and included the matter in the national social safety program under the Project of the social safety nets. On the other hand, fourteen hundred years back, have the instructions on the protection of the rights of the older persons been detailed. In this regard, all the issues of fundamental rights including the age limit of the older person, his dignity, food, clothing and medication have been discussed. The present article has been produced to conduct a comparative assessment of the two Laws. In writing the article, the descriptive, analytical and comparative methods have been followed. It has been found in the findings of the research that the point of the rights of older persons being relevant, steps are being taken in protecting those rights in various laws of the world. Long before has Islamic Shari'ah, however, established the due dignity of the older persons and their rights.