Page 50 - The Truth of the Life of This World

In medicine, advanced old age is also
called "the second childhood". Hence,
during this latter stage of life, elderly peo-
ple just like children need care, since
their bodily and mental functions go
through certain alterations.
As one grows older, physical and spir-
itual characteristics pertaining to child-
hood become more apparent. Elderly
people fail to do many tasks requiring
physical strength. Changes in judgement,
impaired thinking, difficulties in walking,
maintaining balance and speech, impedi-
ments, memory impairment and gradual
memory loss, and changes in mood or behaviour are only a few symptoms
of diseases commonly seen in old age.
In short, after a certain period, people often regress to a state of child-
ish dependency both physically and mentally.
Life both begins and ends in an infant-like state. This is evidently not a
random process. It is possible that man could remain young until he dies.
Yet Allah reminds man about the temporary nature of this world by mak-
ing the quality of his life deteriorate at certain stages of life. This process
serves as a clear reminder that life is slipping away. Allah explains this mat-
ter in the verse below:

O mankind! If you have doubt about the Resurrection, (consider) that We cre-
ated you out of dust, then out of a drop, then out of a leech-like clot, then
out of a morsel of flesh, partly formed and partly unformed, in order that We
may manifest (Our power) to you; and We cause whom We will to rest in the
wombs for an appointed term, then We bring you out as babes, then (foster
you) that you may reach your age of full strength; and some of you are called
to die, and some are sent back to the feeblest old age, so that they know
nothing after having known (much), and (further), you see the earth barren
and lifeless, but when We pour rain down on it, it is stirred (to life), it swells,
and it puts forth every kind of beautiful growth (in pairs). (Surat al-Hajj: 5)

48 The Weaknesses of Man