Would you take religious advice from someone just because they are an Elder or by someone is well learned (even if they are younger than you)?
Just because one is an elder, do you think they know everythign about Religion? Could some of it be confused with culture?
I know many elders that think what they are doing and preaching is Islam, but it is not. It is not because I consulted with a learned scholar who advised me of what is right and wrong.
How would one correct someone who is elder?
Re: Religious Advice
I would to take religious advice from someone JUST because they are older than me, or buzurgs. In fact, as I'm studying more, I realize that a lot of things we've been told growing up are in fact cultural practices that don't hold true Islamic beliefs. I do listen out of respect but if I have a doubt, I like to confirm with a scholar.
Regarding correcting an elder...well it could be tricky if it is a random aunty for example. With close relatives, you can always give references in a very respectful way.
Re: Religious Advice
Definitely from someone who is learned.
Just being an elder definitely does not qualify a person to be an authority.
In fact I'm sure that there are many hadiths that will back this up too.
Correcting an elder is an entirely different thing......I suppose it depends on how willing they are to accept criticism and well-versed you are in presenting it to them.
Sometimes elders will take information because they have the mindset that they will learn at any cost. Then there are those that will perceive your criticism or attempt to help them as an attack on their ego. I suppose you first have to figure out what type of person you are dealing with and then devise an approach/plan of attack.
Re: Religious Advice
I would love to "discuss" with everyone (whoever around me, regardless of their age. who knows a younger kid would have a better knowledge than me) BUT i will decide what to do after having everything discussed. I wouldn't not rely on only 1 person
Re: Religious Advice
I will take religious advice from anybody who provide the right reference. Young , old , kid , man or woman. Islam emphasized in Quran at many places that anybody saying anything about religions should have some kind of proof to prove it.
Quran challenges non Muslims at many places to bring proof of what they are saying, so I guess I will not be out of line if I ask a elder to provide proof of any religious doctrine they tell me.
Re: Religious Advice
I would not take any type of advice; financial, relationship, religious or other - from someone just because the person is older than me. I would defiantly listen to them respectfully and will not argue with them but will not follow that advice unless they have a fruit on the tree.
I would not correct them either, cause correcting them means that I want them to take my advice now, which is opposite of what I am doing to them. I will simply say (after listening to them, and I do that anyways) - 'oh i did not know that, thanks for sharing, I will definitely confirm that with an aalim but again very thankful of you to bring it up to me'.
Re: Religious Advice
^ so you would let them continue what they are doing, even if you know that it is incorrect?
this all reminds me of this story that I heard in Islamic School. It goes like this:
An old man sat to do his wudhu. But his wudhu was not correct. Hasan and Hussain the grandsons of the Prophet (S.A.W.), then two young boys, watched him. They immediately realized that the old man was not doing his wudhu correctly, but hesitated to tell him directly. Perhaps the old man would feel humiliated by two young boys, or he might even lose interest in the act of worship.
Sitting next to him, they started to do the wudhu and during the wudhu, Hasan said: "Oh Hussain my wudhu is correct and more perfect than yours."
In reply, Hussain insisted that his own wudhu was better than Hasan's.
Finally they said: "Let us refer to this gentleman. He is older than us and should be able to decide."
The old man was listening patiently. The boys performed their wudhu under his supervision, one after the other. And when they had finished, he realized the wudhu done by the boys was methodical and correct. It was his own wudhu which was incorrect. Turning to Hasan and Hussain, he gently said: "The wudhu done by you is correct. I am grateful that you chose to guide me in such a beautiful manner
Re: Religious Advice
^ so you would let them continue what they are doing, even if you know that it is incorrect?
at that moment I will not correct them. I will go and recheck with an aalim and come back and tell them my findings.
Re: Religious Advice
Peace,
I will take advice from my elders because of their respect.
I will take advice from youngers too b'coz of their knowledge.
But at the end I will do some research on it and if I found it correct i'll use it and try to pass it to others and if it is incorrect than I'll pray for my elders that "Rabbi Aghfirli Kama Rabbiyani Saghira".
If advice of youngers is incorrect than i'll approach to them with correct information and try to discuss it peacefull way as well as will going to ask them from where they get such kind of information.
Re: Religious Advice
Sorry Sister Afshi I’m neither old enough or learned enough to answer this question … 