Hadith #11077

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

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes two important aspects of human behavior: the protection of secrets and the spreading of goodness. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that one of the signs of a person's success is their ability to entrust their secrets to someone who will keep them hidden, and to share their acts of goodness with those who will spread them.

Let us delve deeper into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith. The word (tawfiq) "تَوْفِيق" refers to divine guidance and success. It is a blessing from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) that enables a person to make the right choices and achieve their goals. (wad'u sirrihi) "وَضْعُ سِرِّهِ" means to place one's secret or private matter in the hands of someone. (indaman yasturuhu) "عِنْدَ مَنْ يَسْتُرُهُ" means to entrust it to someone who will conceal it and not disclose it to others. (ihsanuhu) "إِحْسَانُهُ" refers to acts of goodness, kindness, and benevolence. (indaman yanshuruhu) "عِنْدَ مَنْ يَنْشُرُهُ" means to share it with someone who will spread it and make it known to others.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can 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 guarding the secrets of others and refraining from spreading rumors or engaging in backbiting. It teaches us to have a positive assumption about our fellow Muslims and to treat their secrets with respect and confidentiality.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse reminds us to seek Allah's guidance and support in all our affairs, including the protection of our secrets and the spreading of goodness. It signifies the importance of relying on Allah's help to make the right choices and to surround ourselves with trustworthy individuals who will guard our secrets and promote our acts of goodness.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that entrusting our secrets to someone who conceals them is a sign of success. This act reflects a person's wisdom, discernment, and trust in Allah's guidance. It also demonstrates their understanding of the importance of maintaining trust and confidentiality in relationships. By choosing the right person to confide in, one can ensure that their secrets are protected and not used against them.

Similarly, sharing acts of goodness with someone who will spread them is another sign of success. When we perform acts of kindness, charity, or any form of goodness, it is important to share them with others in order to inspire and encourage them to do the same. By spreading goodness, we contribute to the betterment of society and create a ripple effect of positive actions. However, it is crucial to choose individuals who will genuinely appreciate and promote these acts, rather than those who may exploit them for personal gain or undermine their significance.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of protecting our secrets and sharing acts of goodness with the right individuals. It highlights the qualities of trustworthiness, confidentiality, and sincerity in our relationships. By entrusting our secrets to those who will conceal them and sharing our acts of goodness with those who will spread them, we contribute to a culture of trust, positivity, and righteousness. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and discernment to choose the right individuals to confide in and share our acts of goodness with, and may He bless us with success in this world and the Hereafter.