Hadith #4798

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises us,

Do not confide in the one who would divulge your secret.

This beautiful saying emphasizes the importance of trust and the need to be cautious in choosing those with whom we share our secrets.

The word (thiq) "ثِقْ" in the Hadith means to trust or have confidence in someone. It implies relying on someone's integrity and expecting them to keep our secrets. On the other hand, the word (yudhī') "يُذيعُ" means to divulge or disclose. It refers to the act of revealing or spreading someone's secret without their permission or consent.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12),

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.

This verse highlights the importance of avoiding negative assumptions and backbiting, which are closely related to divulging secrets. When we confide in someone, we expect them to keep our trust and not make negative assumptions about us or spread our secrets. Allah reminds us that such actions are sinful and likened to consuming the flesh of our own brother, which is repulsive to us.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mujadila (58:10), Allah says,

O you who have believed, when you confer privately, do not confer in sin or for aggression and disobedience to the Messenger but confer for righteousness and piety. And fear Allah, to whom you will be gathered.

This verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining the sanctity of private conversations. It advises us to avoid discussing sinful or aggressive matters in private gatherings. This guidance aligns with Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith, as divulging secrets can lead to sin and disobedience to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advice serves as a reminder for Muslims to be cautious in choosing trustworthy individuals to confide in. When we share our secrets with someone, we expose our vulnerabilities and expect them to honor our trust. However, if that person betrays our trust by divulging our secrets, it can have severe consequences.

Divulging secrets can lead to broken relationships, loss of trust, and emotional harm. It can also create divisions within communities and damage reputations. Therefore, it is essential to be discerning in selecting individuals who have proven themselves to be trustworthy and reliable.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) enlightening saying serves as a reminder for Muslims to value trustworthiness and confidentiality. It encourages us to be cautious in sharing our secrets and to choose our confidants wisely. By doing so, we can protect ourselves from the potential harm that may arise from the betrayal of trust.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)

Do not confide in the one who would divulge your secret

highlights the importance of trust and the need to be cautious in selecting individuals with whom we share our secrets. It aligns with the Quranic teachings that emphasize the sanctity of private conversations and the avoidance of negative assumptions and backbiting. By adhering to this advice, Muslims can maintain strong bonds of trust and preserve the dignity and honor of one another. May Allah guide us to be trustworthy individuals and protect us from the harm caused by the betrayal of trust.