The Method of Inviting People to Attend the Dhikr Circle

Question:
Your Eminence the Shaykh, peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings. We often invite many people, young and old, to attend the dhikr circle here and in every place. You cite an incident that is not hidden from you as an excuse for avoiding the dhikr circle. What is the method for addressing them?

Answer:
Every era has incidents; all times have incidents. Incidents that do not prevent obedience to Allah and His Messenger. If someone makes a mistake and is punished for it, does that prevent [one] from attending circles of knowledge? This is a mistake. This is a believer seeking knowledge, or circles of knowledge. One does not cite the one who made a mistake or erred as an excuse. Indeed, this is from the adornment of Shaytan, and his misleading in this motive, and his deluding people until they abandon what benefits them. If a person errs in any deed he desired, it is not permissible for you to follow him in his error, nor to abandon seeking good because of it. Yes.