What is your opinion on remaining silent about the sins of sinners at first for the sake of calling them to Islam, such as when he turns on the television to a song in front of him?
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The questioner : Noble Shaykh, there are some Muslims who are sinners whom we visit with the intention of calling them to Allah the Exalted and Majestic. However, these people do not attend gatherings of dhikr and are far from Allah the Exalted and Majestic. We find some of the prohibited things with them, and sometimes, meaning, they test us; there is a song or something on the television, meaning the song is long. We do not speak; we came to their homes, and we try to win their hearts at first, meaning through multiple visits. And we have found, based on experience, that if we start by forbidding the evil, they are startled by us and do not sit with us. But by the grace of Allah the Exalted and Majestic, we have started to be patient, though we are patient with difficulty. Sometimes you hear the prohibited things, but some of the brothers forbid them, saying: You must forbid the evil. So, do we forbid the evil directly, or do we be patient with the intention of calling to Allah the Exalted and Majestic?
The Shaykh : The one who forbids the evil is a healer, is he not?
The questioner : Yes, we come to them with the intention of calling them to Allah the Exalted and Majestic.
The Shaykh : Well, he is like a doctor. If a doctor came to a wound and cut it open immediately to extract what is in it, perhaps greater harm would result. But if he cut it little by little and was patient with the foul smell he smelled from it, the intended result would be achieved. You did not sit with them desiring the evil they are upon, but rather you sat for the sake of calling to Allah. And in my opinion, every person who has intellect and discernment, if he sits with a person of good, he will abandon the sin he is upon. And perhaps he will be stubborn or defiant and keep it or increase in it, as you said. But be patient. So, if you know that there is no hope in him, then at that time do not sit with him. It is obligatory for you to leave him at that time.
The questioner : Well, O Shaykh, if...
The Shaykh : The question will come to you, if Allah wills. Be patient.
The Shaykh : The one who forbids the evil is a healer, is he not?
The questioner : Yes, we come to them with the intention of calling them to Allah the Exalted and Majestic.
The Shaykh : Well, he is like a doctor. If a doctor came to a wound and cut it open immediately to extract what is in it, perhaps greater harm would result. But if he cut it little by little and was patient with the foul smell he smelled from it, the intended result would be achieved. You did not sit with them desiring the evil they are upon, but rather you sat for the sake of calling to Allah. And in my opinion, every person who has intellect and discernment, if he sits with a person of good, he will abandon the sin he is upon. And perhaps he will be stubborn or defiant and keep it or increase in it, as you said. But be patient. So, if you know that there is no hope in him, then at that time do not sit with him. It is obligatory for you to leave him at that time.
The questioner : Well, O Shaykh, if...
The Shaykh : The question will come to you, if Allah wills. Be patient.