Keeping Company with Relatives and Isolating Oneself from People

Question:
May Allah reward you. He says: I am a servant of Allah, and I ask Allah, Mighty and Majestic, to keep me firm. I find that some people, especially relatives, gather in meetings, and I also find that some of them praise me in my presence and speak well of me. I try hard to be with their companions, but I fear the upbringing [or influence]. Why do you direct me [to do this]?

Answer:
If the gatherings are pure, do not isolate yourself from them. Stay with good people. Attend their gatherings, especially those of relatives and family members. Sit with them and feel at ease in their company.
Feeling at ease with them is part of maintaining family ties and removing isolation and loneliness. Satan takes hold of the one who is isolated and cut off from people. So do not isolate yourself except from people of evil. Isolate yourself from people of evil. As for people of good and those who do not commit any wrong, sit with them. This is better than your isolation, unless you are occupied with seeking knowledge, reading, or copying something from books. In that case, it is permissible to isolate yourself for this purpose, because this is a clear excuse. Yes.