Chapter 10 - On Keeping Secrets

“Whoever fulfills the needs of a believer without belittling him will be housed in Heaven.”

“Whoever hides his secrets has control over them. But if anything is expressed to two or more people, it will be spread around.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Do not let your friend know your secrets, unless these secrets will not harm you if your enemies hear them. One day your friend might turn into your enemy.”

Imam Kazim (a.s) said: “If you have something in one hand and can do something that your other hand does not find out about it, then do it.”

a man told Imam Sajjad (a.s): “So and so accuses you of deviation and innovation (in religion).” Imam Sajjad (a.s) said: “By telling me what he told you, you did not respect the rights related to associating with him. You also did not respect my rights since you told me something about my believing brother of which I was unaware. We will all perish, and be resurrected on Resurrection Day, and God will judge between us. Avoid gossiping since it is the stew meat for the dogs of Hell. Know that many will gossip about anyone who spreads the word around about the faults of the people, and he will also be questioned about his own faults.”

“Whenever you like one of your Muslim brothers, you should ask his name, his father's name, the name of his tribe, and his nationality. This is necessary and true brotherhood demands these questions to be asked. Otherwise this kind of simply knowing each other is foolish.”

Imam Kazim (a.s) said: “Do not let the existing decency between you and your religious brother be removed since it will result in the loss of your honor.”

Imam Reza (a.s) said: “Call men by their family names in their presence, and their names in their absence.”

“Good men bring good news, but wicked men bring bad news.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Helping a deaf man understand is a good form of charity.”