Certain eras call for retreating indoors and embracing silence

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Ibn Abi Dunya, may Allah have mercy upon him, reported that Ibn al-Sammak, may Allah have mercy upon him, narrated that a man asked Sufyan Ath-Thawri, may Allah have mercy upon him, for advice, to which he replied, “This is a time for silence and staying at home”. [1]

Ibn Al-Bannah, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated: Abu Ali al-Hasan ibn Ahmad ibn Ibrahim ibn Shadhan informed us, and Abu Amr ‘Uthman ibn Ahmad ibn al-Sammak narrated to us, that Ja’far ibn Muhammad al-Khayyat reported from Abdus Samad ibn Yazid al-Sa’igh, who said he heard al-Fudayl ibn ‘Iyad saying: “In the end of times, you should seek the sanctuaries.” When asked what these sanctuaries were, he replied, “The homes, for only those who are pure among Allah’s creation will be saved from the evils of that time.” He would often say, “This is not a time for speaking; it is a time for silence and staying at home.” [2]

Uqbah Ibn Aamir, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “I said, O Messenger of Allah! What is salvation?” He said, “Restrain your tongue, stay in your house and weep over your sin”.

Imam Al-Albani, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:

“Restrain your tongue”. Meaning, do not speak, except what is of benefit to you and that which concerns you, as the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, then let him say what is good or remain silent”.

“Stay in your house”. Some people may think that this necessitates keeping away from the people completely; rather this is an advice of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, that one stays in his house when Fitan becomes rife, thus, a person realises that there is no benefit in intermingling with the people; rather it becomes obligated to him to save himself by staying indoors. However, this is not permissible in every era and place, because Islam is established based on the foundation “Arise and warn [i.e. call to Tawheed and warn” against Shirk” [Surah Al-Mud-dath-thir. 2], and this necessitates that one intermingles with the people to give them dawah. This why the Messenger said, “The believer who mixes with people and patiently bears their harm is better than the one who does not mix with people and does not patiently bear their harm.”. But if intermingling with the people will result in harming the Aqeedah, manners and religion of the Muslim, he should adhere to this noble advice of the Prophet that one” Stays in his house”.

“And weep over your sins”. This is a constant obligation, whether a Muslim lives in isolation from the people or intermingles with them. One should take himself to account and contemplate what he did during day and night, so that he remembers his Lord and hopes that he will be included amongst those seven people [i.e. those who will be provided with shade on the day of judgement when there will be no shade], and amongst them is ‘”the one who remembers Allah when he is alone, and his eyes fill up with tears”. [Al-Bukhaari, no. 620] [3]

[1] Al-Uzlah Wal Infirad. page 97

[2] Ar-Risalah Al-Mughniyah Fis Sukut Wa Luzum Al-Buyut page 10

[3] https://safeshare.tv/x/zoThA-C4aDw