جعفر بن محمد الصادق عليه السلام

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said that God admonished a tribe for not concealing faith and said: “When there comes to them some matter touching (public) safety or fear, they divulge it.” [The Holy Quran: Nisaa 4:83]

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “God will make whoever divulges our secrets- the Household of the Prophet- feel the blazing Fire of Hell.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “What will you, who cover up your evilness and display your goodness, do when you realize that you are not so when you think about yourself. God the Almighty said: “Nay, man will be evidence against himself.” [The Holy Quran: Qiamat 75:14] Whoever improves his inner self, his outward appearance will also be improved.”

“Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has made religion into two kingdoms; the kingdom of Adam, which is the kingdom of Allah, and the kingdom of Satan. When Allah wants to be worshipped publicly such time is the time of the kingdom of Adam. When Allah wants to be worshipped in hiding and secretly, such time is the time of the kingdom of Satan. The publisher of what Allah wants to remain secret is out of the limits and sanctuary of religion.”

It is forbidden on believers to expose the secrets of each other. I do not mean that they see each other naked; rather they find faults in or disgrace each other.

Whoever conceals the shame of a believer, Allah will conceal his shame on the Day of Resurrection; and whoever exposes a believer, Allah will expose him on the Day of Resurrection.

the Messenger of Allah (a.s) said: O community of those who have believed with their tongues but not with their hearts! Do not seek the shortcomings of believers and do not try to uncover their faults. Most surely, one who seeks to uncover the faults of his brother, Allah will disclose his faults; and for whomsoever Allah discloses his faults, He will disgrace him even if it be within his own home.

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “People were instructed to do two things, but they ignored both things and thus they lost everything. These two things were having patience and being faithful in keeping secrets.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said the following regarding God's statement: “And slew the Prophets in defiance of right” [The Holy Quran: Al-i-Imran 3:112], “I swear by God that they did not kill them with their swords, but caused them to be killed by divulging their secrets.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Whenever three believers get together, it is not appropriate for any two of them to whisper into each other’s ears since this will annoy the third person.”

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 Sadiq (a.s) said: “Hiding calamities is one of the best treasures.”

“God has placed a veil between any two Muslims. Whenever one insults the other, God will tear this curtain. Whenever one expresses his hatred of the other, he will become an infidel- that is the one with the worst tone.”

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

“O' Ali! God has entrusted his creatures with poverty. God will grant whoever hides his poverty the reward of those who fast and stay up at night to worship Him. And if he expresses his poverty to someone who can help him fulfill his needs, but that man does not do so, it is as if he has killed the poor man- not by using a sword or a dagger but with his rejection.”

Did he say: «The blemish of a believer upon another believer is forbidden»? He said: Yes. I said: Does he mean the two lower organs (of him). He said: It is not as you think. It is only the disclosure of his secret.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever publicizes our (confidential) cause is like one who murders us on purpose, and not by mistake.’”

“Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, in His words has criticized a people for publicizing confidential facts: ‘When they receive any news of peace or war, they announce it in public . . . ,’ (4:83) therefore, be on your guard against publicizing confidential facts.’”

“Four things are done in vain: being friends with disloyal ones; doing good to ungrateful ones; teaching those who do not listen; and entrusting secrets with those who would not safeguard them.”

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a complete Benevolent Assistance materializes only when the provider considers it insignificant and provides it out of public sight without delay. When you consider it insignificant, it then seems great to the recipient; providing it out of public sight completes it, and without delay makes it enjoyable; otherwise, you have made it obnoxious and loathsome.”