Check our new online courses here; or see the details below.
Bismillāh.
لَّا يُحِبُّ اللَّهُ الْجَهْرَ بِالسُّوءِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ إِلَّا مَن ظُلِمَ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ سَمِيعًا عَلِيمًا
Allah does not like the disclosure of [anyone’s] evil [conduct] in speech except by someone who has been wronged, and Allah is all-hearing, all-knowing.
(Sūrat Al-Nisa No. 4, Āyat 148)
One of the most important traits for building strong relationships is the ability to keep secrets. Imagine a spouse who worries that a private argument will be immediately shared with family members. Not only do they have to navigate the conflict, but they also have to deal with the stress of what others will think. Disclosing secrets erodes trust, diminishes love, and creates a sense of insecurity.
Islam places a high value on guarding the privacy of others. Imam Ali (a) beautifully explains this concept with figurative language. He said, Your secret is your captive but if you reveal it you become its captive. In another narration, he advised, The more custodians a secret has, the more it gets lost.
Beyond protecting personal secrets, Islam considers spreading a third party’s secret a major sin known as namīmah. This act is harshly condemned in Islamic narrations. Imam al-Sadiq (a) described namīmah as a powerful form of magic, capable of causing animosity and separating friends from each other. The damage caused by namīmah can be seen clearly in scenarios where private, negative opinions are relayed, regardless of whether the secret directly targets the listener or indirectly affects them:
- A woman tells her friend, “My husband was saying that your husband told him, ‘God bless the single folk, they don’t know how good they have it.’ “
- Similarly a woman tells her friend, “My husband was saying that your husband told him: ‘I wouldn’t wish my in-laws on my worst enemy.’ “
One can only imagine how hurt the lady being told this secret is going to feel.
The Quranic verse quoted above establishes a clear rule about this matter: we should not reveal the faults of others. However, as it goes on to say, there are exceptions. A person who has been wronged is allowed to speak up and expose the injustice they have faced to seek justice. This disclosure, however, must be limited. It is only permissible to the extent necessary to remedy the oppression, and it can only be revealed to someone who has the ability to help.
Sometimes, people feel the need to confide in others, using this as a justification for revealing a secret. While it is natural to want to talk to someone, especially a trustworthy, sympathetic and pious individual who can help us, it is crucial to think carefully about the Islamic law regarding it and whether or not it is permissible to divulge this secret. Remember that we will never find true happiness by committing sins.
We pray that Allah grants us the understanding of our responsibilities and the ability to fulfil them. May He give us control over our tongues so that we only use them in ways that please Him.
Source: Allāmah Muhammad Husayn Tabātabā’ī, Tafsīr al-Mīzān.
ALI 703: Lessons from the Timeless Event of Karbala
The movement of Imam al-Husayn (ʿa) offers timeless lessons in akhlāq, guiding us to higher spiritual and ethical heights. In this webinar we will reflect on Sayyidah Zaynab (ʿa)’s contributions to this sacred legacy — focusing on the theme of Fervor and Honor (Ghayrah) with insights from the Qur’an and the Ahadith of the Maʿsūmīn (ʿa).
Schedule: Sunday, Oct 26, 2025
Timings: 1:30 pm to 3 pm in Toronto/NY; 10:30 am to 12pm LA/Vancouver
Instructor: Syed Ali Kazmi
Fees: CAD $10.00
ALI 707: Quranic Arabic and Knowledge – Level 2
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a) has said: Learn Arabic, for it is the word of Allah with which He speaks to His creation [in the Holy Quran]. In this online course, specially tailored for past and present Madrasah teachers, we will discuss simple Quranic vocabulary and grammar. To make it interesting, occasionally we will cover short stories and historical events in the Quran and their application in our daily lives. In this level, we will identify nouns and their different forms, a few verbs, and particles from Surahs Numbers 108 to 114 of the Quran.
Scholars on learning Quranic Arabic
Eligibility: All past and present Madrasah teachers are welcome to join this course, including those who were unable to register for Level 1. Most of the material from Level 1 will be revised in Level 2, and the recordings for Level 1 are available at: www.academyofislam.com/ali-702/.
Schedule: 6 Wednesdays, Sep 24 to October 29, 2025
Timings: 5-6 pm in LA/Vancouver, 8 – 9 pm in NY/Toronto
Instructor: Sh. Hasanayn Kassamali Fees: CAD $50.00
Attendance and Homework: This course is designed for those who are serious about learning Quranic Arabic by attending all live sessions, participating actively in class, and completing homework assignments. Homework will be shared with classmates for feedback and discussion.
Registration for all courses: www.academyofislam.com/registration/