ABSTRACT

Abstract

The urgent quest for alternatives to address the gap globally experienced in eldercare and social support, follows a series of challenges posed by population aging. This paper postulates that, for Muslim communities, there are institutions, values, and levels of care that can be of high potential in addressing these challenges. These institutions under the main umbrella of Islamic charity includes, zakat, Sadaqah, waqif and ‘Beitul-Mal’ among others, while the levels of care are; care by progenies and care by the community. These institutions and levels can be mobilized and strengthened based on the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah as exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the ‘Rashidun’. Using the functionalist sociological orientation, the paper, has demonstrated that, Islam is highly endowed with values in which the Elderly and excellence of old age can be upheld. The paper recommended the restoration of historically viable Islamic welfare schemes to carter for the contemporary needs and interest of the elderly.

Keywords: population aging, Islamic institutions and values, care of the elderly