Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

 

It all depends. Humans are social animals. Our mandate on earth is to serve as vicegerents or shepherds of the planet earth. We must take care of the planet and its inhabitants. This onerous duty requires us to cooperate and work as a team with others.

 

It also demands from us to cooperate with others to command good and forbid evil and to cooperate with others for the common good and virtue.

While working for this noble goal, we must face opposition and even persecution. If we do persevere in the face of trials and tribulations, we merit more significant and more excellent rewards. It was the way of the messengers of Allah. They continued patiently in the face of trails, and Allah tells the Prophet Muhammad to persevere in the face of trials even as the mighty messengers persevered.

 

Therefore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “A believer who mixes and mingles with people and bears their hurt is superior to a believer who does not mingle or mix and hence does not experience the hurts of people.” (At-Tabarani)

 

Therefore, this is the ideal way. However, an exception is made in case of those who are weak. For instance, if someone who cannot save his faith in a corrupt society. If he fears that he cannot make any difference and is worried about being swept away by the tide he ought to isolate himself to guard his faith.

 

The prophet, peace be upon him, has prophesied that towards the end of times, we may face such a situation: when faced with situations like that, we are ordered to leave the corrupt society and live in seclusion until death comes.

 

I pray to Allah to help us remain steadfast in our faith until the end.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.