Honoured teacher, there is someone who had drifted away from worship and had also committed sins. For some time now, I have been seeking forgiveness on this person’s behalf and offering guidance. Praise be to God, it has not been without effect: the doors of guidance that had been closed to them are gradually opening, one by one. They have come to believe that a Muslim should observe the duties and proprieties of Islam.
I suggested that, if they could not begin praying at home, they should go to the mosque. They told me they had gone and looked around, and even sent me a photo of the mosque. But they still say they will start praying little by little. In other words, we have reached a very important and delicate point.
I feel that a particular prayer, a particular act of seeking forgiveness, or some special help is needed to get this person moving forward, keep them from turning back, help them leave their sins behind, and open the doors of guidance to them. At this stage, I feel I have done everything I can; apart from praying, there is nothing more I can do.
Please either help this person yourself from here on, or let me know if there are any particular recommendations I can follow, so that, God willing, they do not lose their standing as a Shi‘i and the doors of guidance may be fully opened to them.