Is the hadith that speaks of the necessity of staying in one's home and attending to one's affairs when tribulations (fitan) appear at the End of Times authentic?
When tribulations intensify and become numerous, it is legislated for the Muslim to stay at home, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded. Abu Musa narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: (Verily, before the Hour there will be tribulations like fragments of dark night. A man will wake up a believer and go to sleep a disbeliever, and go to sleep a believer and wake up a disbeliever. The one who sits during them is better than the one who stands, and the one who walks during them is better than the one who runs. So break your bows, cut your bowstrings, and strike your swords against stones. If someone enters - meaning - upon any of you, then let him be like the better of Adam's two sons).
And when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was asked: (So what do you command us? He said: Be the carpets of your homes).
The meaning of "be the carpets of your homes" is: stay in your homes and adhere to silence, so that you do not fall into the tribulation that will make you lose your religion.
In the case of tribulations where a Muslim is unable to stop evil and fears for his religion, isolation and staying at home are legislated. However, outside of times of tribulations, mixing with people is better if it brings benefit, such as calling to Allah and enjoining good, as mentioned in the hadith: (The believer who mixes with people and is patient with their harm has a greater reward than the believer who does not mix with people and is not patient with their harm).
If a Muslim fears for his religion when mixing with people, then isolation is more appropriate. But if he possesses knowledge that benefits people, then mixing with them is better.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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