Is it better in this time: seclusion or mixing with people?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner says: Is it better in this time to be secluded or to mix with people, especially in a community of students of knowledge?

Answer:
First, seclusion that prevents one from attending the Friday prayer and the congregational prayer is not permissible under any circumstances, unless you fear for your life from being killed, or you are ill, in which case there is no harm. However, if you are able to attend and pray with the Muslims for the Friday prayer and the congregation, it is not permissible for you to be secluded. Second, seclusion from people requires a distinction. If a person is able to spread the call to Islam and goodness and to remind people, he should not seclude himself; it is not permissible for him to seclude himself. Rather, it is obligatory for him to go out and visit people in their gatherings and call them to Allah, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did with the polytheists. But if he has no knowledge, and if he mixes with people he is affected and he fears for himself, then he should seclude himself from people in matters other than prayers and other than gatherings of knowledge. He should not seclude himself from gatherings of knowledge, nor from the Friday prayer and the congregation. Rather, he should only seclude himself from gatherings of evil that affect him, while he does not affect them. Yes.