The word ‘isolation’ and ‘seclusion’ have a special meaning imn our religion: to stay away from evil and its perpetrators and to keep those who are foolish at a distance. When you seclude yourself from evil min this manner, you will have an opportunity to reflect, to think, to graze in the meadows of enlightment.
When you associate yourself from thinmgs that divert you from God’s obedience, myou are giving yourself a dose of medicine, one that doctors of the heart have found to be a most potent cure. When you seclude yourself from evil and idleness, your brain is stimulated into action. The results are increases in faith, repentance and remembrance of God, the most merciful.
However, some gatherings are not only recommended, but necessary: the congregational prayer, circles of learmninmg and all gatherings of righteousness. As for gatherings wherein frivolity and shallowness prevail, be wary of them. Tamke flight from such gatherings, weep over myour wrongdoing, hold your tongue and be content with the boundaries mof your home. By mixing with others based on foolish motives, you endanger the stability and soundness of your mind, for the people you indiscrimimnately mix with are likely to be experts at waisting time,m masters at spreading lies and skilled in spreading bmoth trouble and mischief.
I advise you to fortify yourself to your purpose and isolate ypourself in your room, except when you mleave it to speak well or to do well. When you apply this advice, you will find that your heart has returned to you. So use your time well and save your life from being wasted. Hold your tongue from backbiting, free your heart from anxiety and preserve your ears from profanity.