REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA— When a person reaches the age of 40, this is the starting point of a very radical change in a person. This age is also called a special phase.
On average, prophets and apostles were appointed messengers of God at that age, with the exception of the Prophet Isa and the Prophet Yahya. According to psychological science, the age of 40 is the age of maturity and maturity of a person in thinking, speaking, acting and behaving.
Ibn Katsir held an opinion that a person does not change from his habits when he reaches the age of 40.
For example, if a person is used to earning one juz a day or waking up at night for help, it will become a habit.
On the other hand, if at the age of 40 he still practices such as adultery, drunkenness, debauchery, corruption, blasphemy, hypocracy, and injustice, the practice will be an antidote to his death, unless Allah has mercy on him.
It can be said that the age of 40 is the momentum of man's return to his character. Therefore, Khairil Anwar asserts, “Once means, already it is dead.”
Meanwhile, Ibn Qayyim al-Jauziyah divided the human lifespan into four phases. Aulad, that is, from birth to baligh (15 years). Shabab, from the time of his birth until the age of 40. Kuhul, age 40 to 60 years. Syuyukh, age 60 and over.
It is said that when Imam Shafi'i was 40 years old, he walked with a cane. When asked about it he said, “That I may always remember that I am a traveler.”
There are at least three responsibilities assumed by those over the age of 40, which are as follows:
First, the onward responsibility, namely obedience to Allah SWT and the Messenger of Allah (SAW), respect both parents with obedience, patience, finances, and attention. Second, the downward responsibility is to love and strengthen his children with knowledge, guidance, compassion, finances, and example.
Third, responsibility aside, that is, to work in synergy with life partners, wife/husbands, siblings, and neighbors in order to build harmonious, safe, and peaceful households and community social lives.
al-Ahqaf chapter (46) verse 15 also affirms the special status of age over 40. The verse reminds those who are about, are, or have reached the age of 40.
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ وَبَلَغَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً قَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ إِنِّي تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَإِنِّي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
“... until he had grown up and was forty years old he prayed: “O my Lord, show me to give thanks for Thy favor which Thou hast bestowed upon me and upon my fathers, and that I may do the righteous good which Thou didst do; do me good by (giving) favor to my posterity. I repent to you, and I am one of those who give themselves up.“
First, give thanks to Allah for His blessings that have been received so far.
Secondly, be grateful to both parents who have brought him to the age of 40, who have managed to make his child successful in various fields. Third, the commitment to do only that which Allah has commanded.
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