Aging, disability and interdependence: A study from Islamic perspective

Abstract

The liberalist view, which defines independence of the aged and the disabled, in terms of physical self-reliance and functional capability of an individual, has widely been criticized from psychological and sociological studies. Psychology points out its failure to understand the independence as capacity to make choices and to exercise control over the life. Sociological studies — especially social gerontology and disability studies —criticize the view because: a) it is reductive and individualistic, b) it fails to recognize human interdependence and mutual relationship, c) it refuses to understand “the self” as a component of wider social structure, d) it anathematizes the care relationships, and, by implication, stigmatizes physical dependence on others. In the light of these diverse conceptions of the independence across the disciplines, this paper seeks to explore the Islamic position on the issue, by trying to interpret Islamic primary texts, which have any bearing on the aging and disability.  In the process of the study, the paper analyses aging and disability narratives, level of old age, and metaphors and direct references from the Qurʾan and Hadith. The study argues that Islamic textual positions are more inclined towards the idea of human interdependence and mutual care relationship, and that the texts urge to construe the old age, disability and independence from a philosophy that posits that human being are essentially weak and disabled and it is the exclusive submission to the Lord that makes him or her powerful and able.