Should a servant prioritize the public interest even if it leads to harm in his religion or a compromise of Sunnahs or obligations? And is he who does so to be feared that he might become a bridge for people to Paradise only to be cast into the Fire, or is there hope for him to be compensated by Allah?

The rule of preferring transitive acts of worship over intransitive ones is not absolute. For example, during I'tikaf (seclusion in the mosque), remembrance of Allah (dhikr), recitation of the Quran, and prayer are prescribed, and these are intransitive acts of worship. Similarly, prayer, which is intransitive, takes precedence over zakat, which is transitive.

It is appropriate for one who cannot influence people to minimize mixing with them, limiting themselves to obligatory duties and the rights of a Muslim upon another Muslim, and to increase in private acts of worship. As for one who can influence others, it is better for them to mix with people to enjoin good, forbid evil, and teach them what is beneficial.

A Muslim must not neglect intransitive acts of worship, as they are essential for rectifying the heart. Satan and the self may deceive the worshipper by favoring transitive worship to cause them to neglect intransitive worship. Scholars have drawn attention to this; knowledge alone is not sufficient without acting upon it and engaging in worship. Indeed, the prophets and righteous individuals engaged in much worship.