What is better: mixing with people while faith is weak, or isolating oneself while faith is strong?
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The questioner : Shaykh (may Allah preserve him), some students of knowledge feel that if they isolate themselves from people, their faith increases and they rise in the ranks of righteousness, and that if they mix with people, their faith weakens. So it is difficult for them: should they mix with people while their faith is weak, or isolate themselves while their faith increases and rises?
The Shaykh : Yes, this is what he is asking: that some people, when they isolate themselves from others, their faith becomes strong and their desire for good increases, but when they mix with them, they become heedless and distracted. So which is better?
We say: If this man has knowledge with which he benefits people and guides them, then mixing with people is more appropriate for him. The believer who mixes with people and endures their harm is better than the believer who does not mix with them and does not endure their harm. However, if he is an ordinary man, but his isolation from people makes his worship more humble and more upright, then let him do so. But he must not isolate himself from his family, because he is responsible for his family:.
The questioner : Does the man have knowledge?
The Shaykh : No, if he has knowledge, he must convey the knowledge, and he must not be repelled by it. Glory be to Allah, is the man not intelligent?!
Offer the knowledge and spread the knowledge, and do not be repelled by it.
The Shaykh : Yes, this is what he is asking: that some people, when they isolate themselves from others, their faith becomes strong and their desire for good increases, but when they mix with them, they become heedless and distracted. So which is better?
We say: If this man has knowledge with which he benefits people and guides them, then mixing with people is more appropriate for him. The believer who mixes with people and endures their harm is better than the believer who does not mix with them and does not endure their harm. However, if he is an ordinary man, but his isolation from people makes his worship more humble and more upright, then let him do so. But he must not isolate himself from his family, because he is responsible for his family:
A man is a shepherd in his home, and he is responsible for his flock.
الرجل راع في بيته ومسؤول عن رعيتهThe questioner : Does the man have knowledge?
The Shaykh : No, if he has knowledge, he must convey the knowledge, and he must not be repelled by it. Glory be to Allah, is the man not intelligent?!
Offer the knowledge and spread the knowledge, and do not be repelled by it.