Explanation of the hadiths of Abu Hurayrah and 'Amr ibn al-'As (may Allah be pleased with them): (Whoever does not show mercy to our young ones and does not recognize the right of our elders is not one of us).

The Shaykh : As for the meaning, the clarity of the meaning in most of the words of the hadith is not hidden. I say "most" because here there is a phrase that may be difficult for some students of knowledge, especially in the present age, where it is said: , : Whoever does not show mercy to our young ones. It is known that showing mercy to the young one is being gentle with him, being soft in guiding him, teaching him, and raising him, and that it is not permissible to treat him as an adult, because the young one has not yet matured in his mind and thought, nor in his body. Therefore, he should be treated with gentleness, softness, and mercy. This is undoubtedly a lesson for many fathers and mothers, men and women, who use harshness and severity with their children. If you ask them about it, they say it is upbringing. The truth is that it is the destruction of character; it is never upbringing. Upbringing is only achieved by placing things in their proper place. If the one who made a mistake is a young one, one should be gentle with him and not treat him as an adult man. As for the second phrase, , the word "our elders" can be interpreted in two meanings. The first meaning, which is the closest and most immediate to the mind, is the elder in virtue, knowledge, and character. This is the first meaning. The second meaning is the elder in age, even if he does not possess the first preferred qualities that bring him closer to Allah. However, if all these things are combined in a person, he is the most deserving of being honored, respected, and magnified. : Our elders in knowledge, virtue, character, and age. Age comes in the last position, as it came in a hadith in Muslim. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: : So age came in the third position. Similarly, in terms of respect, a person respects the virtuous one for his character, virtue, and knowledge, even if he is young in age. But this does not negate respecting the old man who is advanced in age, even if he is not advanced in virtue and knowledge, because there are hadiths: : regarding the Muslim with white hair. It is not required here that he be a scholar or virtuous, and so on. So if knowledge, virtue, and old age are combined, these are factors after which there is no other factor that obliges his owner to be respected and honored. So whoever does not show mercy to our young ones and does not recognize the right of our elders, these are matters or phrases whose meanings are clear.