Is it permissible for a person to withdraw from people and resort to lawful seclusion in a time when evil is widespread and faith is weak, based on personal experiences, prophetic hadiths, and the actions of some of the righteous predecessors? And does he attain the reward of the congregation by intention without going out to the mosque?

Scholars have differed regarding the preference between isolation and mingling, and the correct view is that mingling is superior due to the great benefits that result from it, and because it is the methodology of the prophets and the righteous. Therefore, one should mingle with people to achieve benefit and isolate oneself from them when there is corruption. So, you should mingle in matters of obligations and supererogatory acts, and abandon permissible acts except for what is necessary. Be keen on enjoining good and forbidding evil, and choose righteous companions, for that increases faith. As for the reasons mentioned for isolation, mingling with people while being keen on enjoining good and forbidding evil increases faith. And the action of Imam Malik—if it is true—was an ijtihad (independent reasoning) in which he did not completely isolate himself from people, for most of his knowledge and jurisprudence spread among the people.