What are the parameters of legitimate religious seclusion, and is it permissible for someone who fears for his soul and his faith from tribulations?

The default is to socialize with people, but isolation is recommended if one fears for their religion, as in the Hadith: "Soon the best property of a Muslim will be sheep which he will follow to the tops of mountains and the places of rainfall, fleeing with his religion from the tribulations."

However, the condition for isolation is that one should not fall short in anyone's rights, nor neglect their duties, such as attending Friday and congregational prayers. Isolation does not mean complete severance from people; rather, it means abandoning excessive companionship that wastes time, provided that the rights of Muslims are maintained, such as greeting, visiting the sick, and attending funerals.

The path of one who prefers isolation is to believe in the safety of people from their evil, not the other way around.