In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Uqbah Ibn Aamir [may Allah be pleased with him] said, “I said, O Allah’s Messenger! What is salvation ” He said, “Restrain your tongue, remain in your house, and weep over your sin”.
Imam Al-Albaanee [may Allah have mercy upon him] stated:
“Restrain your tongue”– meaning, refrain from speaking unless it is beneficial or relevant to you, as the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him say what is good or remain silent”.
“Keep to your house”. Some people may think that this requires complete isolation from others. However, this is advice from the Prophet to remain in one’s home when there is widespread turmoil, thus a person realises that there is no benefit in intermingling with the people, instead, it becomes incumbent upon him to save himself by staying indoors. Nevertheless, this is not permissible in every time and place, as Islam is founded on the principle of قُمْ فَأَنذِرْ -“Arise and warn”, which necessitates engaging with others to convey the message of Islam. This is why the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] stated, “The believer who interacts with people and patiently endures their harm is better than the one who avoids interaction and does not endure their harm.” However if intermingling with others will result in harming the Muslim’s creed, manners, and religious practices, then he should adhere to the noble advice of the Prophet to remain in their house.
“And weep over your sins”. This is an ongoing obligation, regardless of whether a Muslim lives in seclusion or intermingles with them. One should take himself to account and ponder on what he did throughout the day and night so that he remembers his Lord and hopes to be among the seven people (who will be granted shade on the day of judgment when there will be no shade) and among them is “The one who remembers Allah in solitude, and his eyes are filled with tears”. (1)
Ibn Abbas [may Allah be pleased with him and his father] said, “Safety and well-being are ten parts. Nine parts are embodied in silence (where speaking good or remaining silent is key), and the tenth part is found in seclusion”. (2) Imam Fudayl Ibn Iyaadh [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “Safeguard your tongue, exhibit determination in your endeavors, and be acquainted with your era”. (3) Malik Bin Deenaar [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “The righteous people used to advise one another with three affairs: restraint of the tongue, seclusion, and seeking Allah’s pardon”. (4) Al-Khattaabee [may Allah have mercy upon him] stated: “The purpose of seclusion does not imply that an individual forsakes obligatory gatherings, disregards the rights of others and the established good customs, or refrains from responding to greetings. Instead, seclusion requires avoiding unnecessary and excessive social interactions”. (5)
[1] Paraphrased. Listen on this link: https://safeshare.tv/x/zoThA-C4aDw
[2] Sifatus Safwa. 4/257
[3] Siyar 8/436
[4] Hilyatul Awliyaa 2/277
[5] Al-Uzlah. pages 12-13