What to do at times of fitnah and division
Question

                Are these the times which are referred to in the hadeeth of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), according to which when one of the Sahaabah asked him, “What should I do when there is too much fitnah and division?”, he replied, “Keep away from the people, and sit in your house”? In al-Saheeh, in Kitaab al-Fitan, Baab Kayf al-Haal idha lam yakun khaleefah, there is a hadeeth which says that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told them to withdraw from people when calamities strike, and he said, “… even if you have to bite onto the root of a tree.” Please explain this hadeeth and tell us what the scholars said about it.
Praise be to Allah.In al-Saheehayn 
          and elsewhere – and this version was narrated by al-Bukhaari – it is 
          reported from Abu Idrees al-Khawlaani that he heard Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamaan 
          say: “The people used to ask the Messenger of Allaah  
          (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about good things, but I 
          used to ask him about bad things, fearing that I would live to see such 
          things. I said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, we were in a state of ignorance 
          (jaahiliyyah) and evil, then Allaah sent us this good (i.e., Islam). 
          Will there be any evil after this good?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ I said, ‘Will 
          there by any good after that evil?’ He said, ‘Yes, but it will be tainted.’ 
          I said, ‘How will it be tainted?’ He said, ‘(There will be) some people 
          who will guide others in a way that is not according to my guidance. 
          You will approve of some of their deeds and disapprove of others.’ I 
          said, ‘Will there be any evil after that good?’ He said, ‘Yes, there 
          will be people calling at the gates of Hell, and whoever responds to 
          their call, they will throw them into it (the Fire).’ I said, ‘O Messenger 
          of Allaah, describe them to us.’ He said, ‘They will be from among our 
          people, speaking our language.’ I said, ‘What do you command me to do 
          if I live to see such a thing?’ He said, ‘Adhere to the jamaa’ah (group, 
          community) of the Muslims and their imaam (leader).’ I asked, ‘What 
          if there is no jamaa’ah and no leader?’ He said, ‘Then keep away from 
          all those groups, even if you have to bite (eat) the roots of a tree 
          until death overtakes you whilst you are in that state.’”  
        The time does not refer to this particular period we are living in; 
          it is a general idea which may refer to any time and place, from the 
          time of the fitnah and rebellion against ‘Uthmaan (may Allaah be pleased 
          with him) at the time of the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them 
          all), onwards. 
What is meant by keeping away or withdrawing from people at the time 
          of division is what was mentioned by al-Haafiz ibn Hajar (may Allaah 
          have mercy on him) in al-Fath, 
          narrating from al-Tabari, who said: when the people do not have an imaam 
          (leader) and they split into sects and parties, do not follow any of 
          these groups; keep away from all of them if possible, lest one fall 
          into evil. When there is a jamaa’ah that is truly following the Straight 
          Path, then you have to join them and help to increase their numbers, 
          and cooperate with them in truth, because in that case this group constitutes 
          the jamaa’ah of the Muslims for that man in that place. 
And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet 
          Muhammad and his family and companions and grant them them peace.