Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
The chapter headings established by Imam Bukhari rahimahullah are of two types:
➊ Some are fundamental, which are the main objective and serve as the claim.
➋ Others are supplementary, which are not the main objective but are established in view of some additional benefit found in the hadith. Thus, at this point, the purpose of the fundamental heading is to mention those verses and hadiths in which various animals are mentioned. However, in some hadiths, there was an additional benefit beyond this, so he established a heading to draw attention to it.
The mentioned heading is also of this category.
That is, the original purpose was to mention goats, but in order to state the aspect of goodness and blessing in keeping goats, this supplementary heading was established.
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
In today's era, such free and safe places have also vanished; now there is danger everywhere.
From this hadith, those people have derived evidence who say that seclusion (uzlah) is better; sometimes living among people is better, and it is also necessary that the person who adopts seclusion does not do so with the intention of fame or showing off, but rather with the intention of protecting himself from sins, and he should not abandon the Friday prayer, congregational prayer, or the obligatory acts of Islam. More detail is found in Ihya al-Ulum. (In the aforementioned ahadith and other similar ahadith in which encouragement and virtue of seclusion are mentioned, what is meant is the time of tribulations (fitan), and when, in the environment, it becomes difficult to avoid sins while mixing with people.
Otherwise, in normal circumstances, Islam commands establishing relationships and increasing population.
Because, if you reflect, the reward for visiting the sick, the reward for greeting (saying salam), the reward for maintaining ties of kinship (silat ar-rahm), etc.—all these good deeds are only possible when one resides among people.
(Abd al-Rashid Tunisi)
The meaning of uzlah is to remain separate, isolated, and distant from people.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
In the present era, such completely secluded mountain peaks are non-existent. Now, there is danger everywhere; however, for the one who does not seek fame and ostentation, but rather only desires to safeguard himself from sins, a separate house is better for him in order to protect his religion, Islam. Moreover, he should not abandon Jumu‘ah (Friday prayer), congregational prayer, and other obligatory acts of Islam.

(2)
It should be clear that “trials (fitan)” refers to such circumstances in which, by mixing with people, a person’s religion is put at risk. Otherwise, it is better to live within one’s environment and society, as is mentioned in the hadith:
“The believer who mixes with people and is patient with the harm they cause attains more reward than the believer who does not mix with people and does not bear their harm.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Al-Fitan, Hadith: 4032)

(3)
In mingling with people, one encounters all kinds of individuals, both good and bad. Even if evil becomes widespread in society, it is still not good to isolate oneself; rather, it is necessary to remain within society and strive for reform. In addition, the reward for visiting the sick, the reward for giving greetings (salam), and the reward for maintaining family ties (silat ar-rahm) are only possible when a person lives within society.
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
The domestic tribulations that arose among the Muslims after the Prophetic era proved the prophecy of the Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) to be true, word for word.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
The domestic tribulations that arose among Muslims after the Prophetic era are alluded to in this hadith. The aforementioned prophecy of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was proven true, word for word.

➋
It is also understood from this hadith that, as much as possible, a person should strive to escape in order to remain safe from tribulations (fitan), because the harm of these tribulations will be proportional to one’s involvement; the greater one’s association, the greater the trial and affliction one will face. Therefore, the only solution to remain uninvolved with them is to withdraw and keep one’s distance from them.

And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
There is encouragement here to avoid tribulations (fitan) to such an extent that, if a person can save himself from tribulation even by leaving his town and living in the mountains, then even that is better.
This too is a great virtue: that a person is able to protect his religion in this manner as well, and spends his time in solitude.

Hadith Commentary:
For a person, his religion is the most precious thing; if, while living among people, there is a risk of harm to it, then it becomes necessary to leave such a community.

The majority of scholars hold the view that during times of tribulation (fitnah), residing among people for the purpose of reforming them is more virtuous, because there are many opportunities to perform good deeds there. However, in times of tribulation, if there is a danger to one’s faith (iman), then adopting seclusion is the path of safety. Accordingly, Hafiz Ibn Hajar rahimahullah has narrated a hadith in which the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:

“The best among people is the one who strives in jihad with his wealth and life, and also the one who lives in a mountain pass, worshipping Allah and keeping other people safe from his evil.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Jihad wa’l-Siyar, Hadith: 2786 and Fath al-Bari: 13/55)

Explanation:
The purpose of the hadith is that when turmoil and corruption increase to such an extent that their rectification appears outwardly impossible, then at such a time, seclusion is preferable. The increase of immorality and wickedness in times of tribulation, the corruption of political circumstances and national administration—all these matters are included. Due to these, it becomes difficult for a believing man to safeguard his religion and faith. In such circumstances, if a person, purely out of the motive to protect his religion, goes to a secluded place where he can be safe from turmoil and corruption, then this too is an act of religion, and a person will be rewarded for it.

The purpose of the noble Imam is precisely this: that adopting seclusion to protect one’s religion is also included in faith (iman). The statement of those who consider righteous deeds (a‘mal salihah) to be separate from faith is not correct.

The mention of the goat is because a person can easily control it, and it does not resist the person. It is a very humble and meek animal. It has been described as one of the animals of Paradise. A person benefits greatly from it. Its milk is very beneficial, and its use keeps the temperament light. Moreover, its progeny increases rapidly. There is not much need to make special arrangements for its food; it fills its belly by itself in the forests. It easily climbs mountains as well. Therefore, in times of turmoil and corruption, it is appropriate to adopt seclusion in the mountains and forests and sustain one’s livelihood by tending to this most beneficial animal. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) mentioned this as a prophecy. Indeed, in history, many times of great tribulation have come, and many servants of Allah, for the protection of their religion and faith, have chosen desolate places over populated ones. Therefore, this act too is included in faith, because the protection of faith and Islam is intended by it.

Hadith Commentary:
1.
By "fitnah" is meant anything that leads a person astray, causing him to become heedless of the remembrance of Allah and His obedience. In our present era, there is an onslaught of such tribulations that become a cause of misguidance and aversion to religion. In such circumstances, it is better to adopt seclusion. However, if a person possesses the scholarly, practical, and moral strength to confront such Dajjal-like tribulations, then it is superior to remain within society and strive to prevent them. This is because the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) himself chose to reside in Makkah al-Mukarramah, and thereafter in Madinah al-Munawwarah, during such times of tribulation. It should be noted that there are three levels of fleeing:
(1)
Fleeing from the land of disbelief (dar al-kufr).
(2)
Fleeing from the land of transgression (dar al-fisq).
(3)
Fleeing from gatherings of disobedience (majlis al-ma‘asi).

2.
Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah intends to establish from this hadith that, in order to safeguard one’s religion, adopting complete separation from all people is a virtuous act, and doing so is a part of faith (iman). The stance of those who consider such righteous deeds to be separate from faith is not correct.

3.
In this hadith, goats have been described as the best wealth, because their rearing is very easy, yet they yield much benefit. Their milk is very beneficial for health, and its use does not cause inflation. The progeny of goats increases greatly; in forests, there is no need to arrange for their food, rather, they fill their bellies themselves, and they climb mountains with ease. On this basis, in times of great tribulation, it is appropriate to adopt seclusion in the mountains and forests and sustain oneself by rearing this most beneficial animal.
(Sharh al-Kirmani: 110/1)

Benefits and Issues:
When a person attains true knowledge (ma‘rifah) of his Lord and His religion and Shari‘ah, his greatest asset becomes his religion, and at every moment he is anxious about its protection.
For this very reason, a sincere Muslim, during times of tribulation (fitnah), will flee from populated areas and seek refuge in forests and valleys.
And the protection of religion is a matter of great resolve (azimah), which only Allah grants the ability to accomplish.

(1) Fleeing from tribulations (fitan) for the protection of one’s religion and faith is also one of the great branches of faith. Therefore, when necessary, a believer should adopt the path of escape to save his religion and faith from the center of tribulations and from those who incite tribulations. There is no objection to this in the Shariah.

(2) This blessed hadith also indicates the virtue of keeping and grazing sheep, etc., and also points towards the virtue of secluding oneself—even to the extent of making the peak of a mountain one’s abode—for the sake of safeguarding one’s religion.

(3) This blessed hadith is among the proofs of prophethood and is a great evidence for your (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) prophethood, in that just as the Noble Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) foretold the tribulations of the last era, so too do tribulations continue to arise from time to time, to the extent that sometimes even an intelligent and perceptive believer is left astonished and bewildered as to what he should do in such circumstances and how he should protect his religion from these tribulations.

(4) There is no monasticism or seclusion in Islam, even if it is for the sake of worship. Rather, the Islamic way is to perform acts of worship while living among people, so that one may strive to keep others firm upon the religion along with oneself. However, when circumstances become so severe that it is not possible to remain steadfast upon the religion while living among people, and one’s presence does not bring any Shariah benefit to others, then seclusion is permissible, as mentioned in the hadith.

(5) By “rainy area” is meant valleys where rainwater collects, or those places where there is abundant rainfall. Thus, by this is also meant mountainous regions.

Benefits and Issues:
(1)
When there is a danger to one’s faith in mingling with the general populace, it is permissible to adopt seclusion.

(2)
For the person who is able to use his tongue to clarify the errors of wrongdoers during times of tribulation, it is superior for him to reside among the people and perform this service of admonition, exhortation, and debate.

Takhrij al-Hadith:
[وأخرجه البخاري 3300، من حديث مالك به]

Jurisprudential Explanation:
➊ One must always protect oneself from tribulations and evils.
➋ In the present era, it is necessary to separate oneself from all the paper-based groups and organizations.
➌ For a person for whom it is difficult to safeguard his faith, it is better and more virtuous for him to distance himself from populated areas and to herd sheep.