Does Distancing Oneself from the Community of Believers Harm One's Faith?

In the rich and profound teachings of the Holy Quran, the importance of connection and solidarity among believers is strongly and centrally emphasized. Distancing oneself from the community of believers can not only harm individual faith but also, from various perspectives, make the path of spiritual growth and faith stability difficult. The Quran views the community of believers as a single body whose parts complement and strengthen each other. This solidarity provides a strong foundation for confronting challenges, solidifying beliefs, and strengthening resolve in the path of servitude to God. One of the most significant reasons for the Quran's emphasis on the necessity of accompanying the community of believers is to create an environment for remembrance and admonition. Humans are naturally prone to heedlessness and forgetfulness, whether due to worldly preoccupations or the whispers of Shaytan. Within the community of believers, individuals enjoin one another to good and forbid evil. This mutual urging to truth and patience, as mentioned in Surah Al-Asr, is the backbone of preserving faith over time. When an individual separates from this community, they are deprived of these admonitions and reminders. Like a lone flame exposed to the cold winds of doubt or the deceptions of the ego, their faith gradually dims and becomes vulnerable. Without the support and encouragement of others, performing good deeds and refraining from sins becomes more difficult. The Quran repeatedly calls for Islamic unity and brotherhood. In Surah Al-Imran (verse 3:103), it states: "And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided." This verse clearly indicates that unity and connection with the believing community is itself a form of holding fast to the divine rope. Separation from this community means letting go of a part of this strong rope, which can lead to the individual's downfall. The community of believers is like a strong fortress against the attacks of Shaytan and tempters. Shaytan always seeks opportunities to sow discord and isolate individuals because he knows that a lone individual is easier to deceive. A well-known Hadith also states: "The wolf eats the lone sheep." This proverb clearly illustrates how vital collective support is on the difficult path of servitude. Beyond spiritual support, the community of believers provides a platform for learning, growth, and correction. Individuals learn from each other, share their religious experiences, and become acquainted with different perspectives and interpretations of Quranic teachings and the Sunnah. This intellectual and spiritual exchange significantly helps deepen religious understanding and resolve doubts. In contrast, isolation can lead to incomplete or incorrect understandings of religion, as the individual is deprived of constructive criticism and corrections from others. Furthermore, the performance of certain acts of worship, such as congregational prayers and Friday prayers, which are highly emphasized, is only possible within a community. Neglecting them can gradually lead to weakness in faith and indifference towards religious rituals. From a psychological and social perspective, humans are social beings and need belonging and acceptance. Distancing oneself from the community of believers can reinforce feelings of loneliness, isolation, and worthlessness in an individual. These negative emotions, in turn, can harm an individual's mental well-being and consequently their spiritual health. Within the community of believers, an individual feels secure and supported, their hope and vitality increase, and their motivation to do good deeds is strengthened. This sense of belonging helps them to be more resilient in the face of hardships and trials. The Holy Quran also emphasizes the importance of 'Amr Bil Ma'ruf wa Nahi Anil Munkar' (enjoining good and forbidding evil), a duty that is primarily fulfilled within an active and dynamic community. When an individual separates from the community, they are not only deprived of receiving this enjoinment of good and forbidding of evil but also lose the ability and opportunity to fulfill this important duty. This can gradually lead to indifference towards deviations and sins in society and even in the individual's personal life. In summary, distancing oneself from the community of believers is akin to cutting ties with a powerful support system that aids the stability and growth of an individual's faith in spiritual, intellectual, social, and psychological dimensions. This distancing can make an individual more vulnerable to temptations, less complete in their understanding of religion, less motivated in performing righteous deeds, and ultimately weaker in their path of servitude to God. The Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) clearly emphasize that faith is not merely an individual phenomenon; rather, it flourishes and remains stable within the context of the believing community and through the mutual support of its members.