What is your opinion of some of the brothers who prefer seclusion and consider it their methodology? Do we consider them misguided on the basis that seclusion is a type of misguidance?

The questioner : It seems we have heard a tone humming around seclusion, preferring it, and considering it a methodology from some of the brothers, as you said, that seclusion is misguidance or of that type, so do we consider them misguided in this opinion of some of the brothers?

The Shaykh : Yes, do they mean seclusion?

The questioner : Or do they hum around seclusion being the correct path, or something like that.

The Shaykh : Okay, my brother, but first, these brothers, without knowing their names, I do not think they are jurists; that is one thing.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Second: if there are jurists among them, I do not think they specify seclusion in the types we mentioned. Rather, they take the word "seclusion" in a vague way that includes the first type, the second type, and what is between them. Do you imagine this specification fully with me? Did they mention this specification to you? I do not think so.

The questioner : They did not mention this specification.

The Shaykh : I do not think so. Therefore, everything requires knowledge and jurisprudence in the religion so that a person does not fall into confusion, so that he does not fall into disorder due to ignorance of his religion. In any case, if you see that they have an opinion on the subject and it needs to be presented... there is no objection for me to hearing them. But this general speech neither fattens nor satisfies hunger. I mean, calling for seclusion without knowing what its dimensions are, what its starting points are, should not happen for a Muslim. Because I am telling you that the meaning of seclusion is not to pray in the mosque. I do not think any speaker with some jurisprudence in the religion would say this. So, it means seclusion.

The questioner : They do not say... they will pray in congregation.

The Shaykh : So, it means seclusion in a narrower sense than what comes to the mind of a listener like me now, that there are people calling for seclusion. Well, what is this seclusion? Is it that one secludes himself on top of a mountain?

The questioner: No.

The Shaykh : If he wanted that, he would not be able to find a way to it, because the civil life we have lived does not help the civil person to become a Bedouin, right? So this is not possible. Today, practically, if it were a religious obligation, then obviously they do not mean seclusion on top of a mountain. So, seclusion in the houses. Well, is this seclusion in the houses meaning he does not go down to the nearby or distant mosque? It is necessary... for congregation. Also, I do not think that there is a knowledgeable Muslim who says—also—that one should leave the Friday prayer and the congregational prayer. So, what do they mean by seclusion? He prays in the mosque on Friday or in congregation, sees a wrong, feels that he can change it with his tongue, but does not change it, nor does he change it otherwise, because he is able to. So, what is the seclusion they mean? It must be that they explain to us their explanation and understanding of the seclusion they consider obligatory in the present age, or at least permissible. Is that clear?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Well, in any case, the explanation I heard from you, I think, is very clear and has no problem at all, because it combines the texts with bringing benefit and repelling harm.