How do we enjoin good and forbid evil in our families and close societies?

In the Book of Intentions Class 13, after one of the intentions for going to the Masjid was explained, a brother asked Shaykh Haisam Farache the following question relating to that aforementioned intention,

“How do we enjoin good and forbid evil in our families and close societies?”

Shaykh Haisam’s response was summarised below in a list:

1. Have a connection to Allah ﷻ; you are doing what is primarily the Prophet’s ﷺ job.
2. Rely on Allah ﷻ for change.
3. Don’t think it is easy.
4. Realise you are not the one doing it.
5. Don’t think for one second that your speech makes any difference.
6. Don’t think you have heard something, that if you tell it to them, that it will make a difference. You don’t know what will change people. Rater, know that you are doing your job to get to Allah ﷻ. They have a God, and He ﷻ will change them. If they get guided, or they don’t get guided, that is not your problem. You can speak to them about anything (with a righteous intention for their guidance) and they’ll get closer to Allah ﷻ if He wills it.
7. It is very important to have a common ground between them, some kind of a good relationship; that is the fertile ground, then water it with mercy [rahma]. If there is no relationship with that person, do not try to enjoin good or forbid evil because it will have no effect.
8. Talk to people with wisdom. Don’t talk to a neuroscientist about farming. Speak to them at the level of what makes them tick.
9. Don’t turn people off. Calling to Allah ﷻ [da`wa] is marketing – without the lies.
10. Make it relatable. Why talk about camels in this day and age unless you’re talking to someone in the desert?
11. If they’re going to take it wrongly, or get worse and do even more sin, then leave them alone.
12. If your da`wa requires you to go somewhere forbidden [haram] and you are sure that you will be tempted to do something haram, then it is haram for you to be there.
13. If you’re going to go somewhere that you know people will be guided and turn to Allah, then you should be there.
14. Go with the intention of people knowing Allah, not knowing who you are.

The tongue of one’s state is clearer and more powerful than one’s tongue of the mouth.

 Click here to watch the clip @ 49 minutes into the class.