The Companions—may Allah be pleased with them—were wholly devoted to worship, yet at the same time ever ready for jihad, for supporting Allah’s religion, and for exalting His word. Whenever a general mobilization was proclaimed or any matter of real importance to Islam and the Muslims arose, they were in the vanguard; they never withdrew or neglected the affairs of the Muslims. This stands in stark contrast to the excuse offered by certain ignorant would-be Sufis who hide away in corners and secluded cells so that they can abandon jihad and the communal obligations that the Sacred Law has expressly commanded.

Islam is a religion of futūwa (spiritual chivalry), vigor, and movement, not a religion of passivity, withdrawal, or isolation. Indeed, “the strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer.” Hence, secluding oneself, turning inward, and distancing oneself from the conditions and pressing concerns of the Muslim community are negative attitudes that Islam does not sanction.