𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (18)

Secluding Oneself in Times of Fitan Ibn ʿAqīl Al-Ḥanbalī was asked: “People are surrounded by much evil, tribulation, and affliction. Is it better for a person to mix with them, or is it better for him to remain in his home and withdraw from people?” He replied: “If he is among the people of knowledge, then he should mix with them, visit them in their homes, and allow them to visit him in his home—even in times of tribulation, affliction, and evil. But if he is from the common people, then no.” It was said to him: “And why is that?” He said: “Because the scholar is like a stray camel, as mentioned in the saying: ‘Leave it, for it has its water-container and its sandals; it will reach water and eat from the trees.’ As for the common person, he will fall into false doctrines without realising it, like a stray sheep—either for you, for your brother, or for the wolf.” [ذيل طبقات الحنابلة (3/ 133) رقم 66]