Is it obligatory for a Muslim to isolate himself from people during times of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) if he knows from himself that he is unable to resist these fitnahs?

Question:
He asks: Is it obligatory for a Muslim to isolate himself from people during times of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) if he knows that he is unable to resist these fitnahs?

Answer:
Isolation is of two types. The first type is the person who is unable to do so and does not have the knowledge to enjoin good and forbid evil and to clarify things for the people; this person isolates himself because his mixing with the people is harmful to him, as he does not have knowledge. As for the second type, the one who has knowledge and is able to clarify things for the people and call them to Allah, this person does not isolate himself. He mixes with the people and clarifies to them what is accepted, praise be to Allah, and for the one who does not accept, he discharges his responsibility and establishes the proof against him.