Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned the following:
In the early period of Islam (when Deen was weak and preference was being given to materialism), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would visit the homes and gatherings of people, who had no interest or inclination towards Deen, and invite them to Islam. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would not wait for people to show interest before he extended the invitation of Islam to them. On some occasions, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) also deputed and sent certain Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to various places with the aim of inviting the people to Islam.
Currently, the Ummah is viewed to be in the same weak condition as was prevalent at the beginning of Islam. Hence, we should also adopt the same approach of going to people who are weak in their Deen and motivate them towards practising Islam.
(Malfoozaat Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) pg. 40)
Source: Ihyaauddeen.co.za