like a shepherd who knows the best pastures and sincerely guides his flock to what benefits them, to the places that provide their food and water.

Goats and sheep were chosen because their keepers are generally calm, gentle, and composed, unlike camel-herders, who—like the camels themselves—are usually harsher and rougher. For that reason Allah selected the tending of sheep as a training ground for His messengers, so that they would grow accustomed to caring for creation.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ herded sheep for the people of Mecca in return for a few qirāṭs, and Moses shepherded them as the dowry for the daughter of the man of Midian, for he said: “I wish to marry you to one of these two daughters of mine on condition that you work for me eight years; but if you complete ten, that is of your own accord” (al-Qasas 28:27).

As for the second hadith, it likewise proves that seclusion can be preferable: a person may keep his hand on his horse’s reins, remaining far from people while guarding the Muslims’ frontiers and concerned with the affairs of jihād. Although isolated, he is fully prepared; whenever he hears a battle cry, he mounts and speeds off at once.

The same applies to someone living alone in a valley or mountain gorge, worshipping Allah; people see nothing from him but good.

We have already explained, however, that such texts apply when mixing with people brings temptation and harm. If no such danger exists, then the believer who mingles with others and patiently endures their hurt is better than the believer who neither mixes with them nor bears their harm.