Audience
The second principle governing the environment is the audience. We have to read the audience as we read the circumstances and the situations.
Are we talking to a group or an individual? There is a difference. Remember that when you are in a group of people you cannot convince them. Look at the example of as’haabul qaryah (People of the Village), mentioned in Soorah Yaaseen. Allaah, Most High, sent a messenger to the village, and village people rejected him. Then he sent another messenger, and they also rejected him. The scholars of Tafseer say that they imprisoned them and tortured them. So, Allaah sent a third messenger to support them against this group, but still they would not listen.
Later, Almighty Allaah said:
“A man came running from the farthest corner of the village, [saying], ‘O my people follow the messengers!’ ” (Soorah Yaaseen, 36: 20)
“Follow those who do not ask any reward from you, and they are rightly guided.”
(36: 21)
“And what is wrong with me that I do not worship the One who created me and to Him I return.” (36: 22)
The story continues, with another person from the village who accepted the message trying to convince the villagers. Although he used logic and emotion to convince them, they remain unconvinced because they were a group. The scholars say that he was killed and he has his reward with Allaah Almighty.
“He said: ‘If only my people knew that my Lord has forgiven me and put me among the honored.” (36: 26-7)
The point here is that there is a difference when you are talking to a group and when you’re talking to an individual. This is why Allaah Most High advises humankind:
“I advise you with one thing to stand before Allah alone or in pairs and reflect.” (Soorah Saba, 34: 46)
If you really want to convince someone about something, you need to talk to them one on one or maybe two.
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