People Can't Be Guided Overnight

Sometimes we might feel frustrated or demotivated when we see our advice and/or da’wah does not bear any fruit; or when people continue to be stubborn or refuse to listen despite our earnest efforts. Especially when it comes to family members.

Some words of advice from Shaykh Uthaymin (rahimahullah):
“Know for sure, that people will not become guided overnight, except for those whom Allah exempts from this general principle. It is the way of Allah that matters come to their completion gradually.
The Prophet Muhammad (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) remained in Makkah for 13 years, inviting the people to Islam, yet his da’wah still did not achieve complete success. The he went and lived in Al-Madinah, and in total, the Religion only became complete 23 years after the Prophet was sent.

Never delude yourself into thinking that people will change overnight. You must tread the path of da’wah with patience and imperturbable determination.

One who is harsh due to the zeal he has for the Religion might end up doing more harm than good. One must have wisdom, placing each matter in its due place, and giving importance to each matter according to its due weight.”
(“The Islamic Awakening”  - Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymin)

As the Arabic proverb goes,” if you continue knocking, eventually the door will be opened”
... But if you stop knocking, you’ve knocked off your chances altogether!

Remember: your change didn’t happen overnight either.
“Every righteous person has a past, every sinner has a future”

Because once we give up, we go return into a continuous state of loss..

وَالْعَصْرِ ﴿١﴾ إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ ﴿٢﴾ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ
“(I Swear) By the Time - 
Indeed, man is in a constant state of LOSS;
Except those who have iman, work righteous deeds,
And eagerly advise each other towards the TRUTH,
And eagerly advise each other towards patience.” (Qur’an surah Al-Asr)


فَاصْبِرْ إِنَّ الْعَاقِبَةَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
“.. So BE PATIENT. Surely, the (good) end is for the People of Taqwa (Muttaqun) – the ones with true righteousness and consciousness of Allah” (Qur’an surah Hud 11:49)