Is seclusion permissible, and is there any established evidence regarding it from the Companions and the Successors?

The questioner : One of the brothers asks: Truly, something regrettable has occurred, which is the idea of seclusion and the call to it. Knowing that those who call for this seclusion cite the seclusion of Imam Malik, and say that he was in seclusion among the Companions, then among the Successors, then among the Successors of the Successors. How accurate is this statement, and what is the concept of seclusion in the religion of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He)?

The Shaykh : I do not think this happened. What happened? Anything? This is an exaggeration in speech. As for what is reported about Malik, Allah knows best about it.