The reason is that one to whom such an inclination is...

The reason is that one to whom such an inclination is manifested will benefit therefrom, or he may be delighted therewith, or his advice or supplication may be solicited, perhaps he will convey such knowledge to those who may benefit from it. There may be other reasons why such a manifestation is sound[^2]. Such hindering insinuations must be rejected if one is sound of judgment at all due to Allah’s will that he should hide his secret from them.

He must confide his secrets only to the custodians of the secrets, the mysteries, of the Almighty. A wise person does not abandon the doing of what is more wise. He does not do anything except what is most perfect. It is concluded from the above that the revelation [of one’s secrets] harms people and runs contrarily to wisdom. You, too, must follow the example of your Lord in dealing with wisdom.

You must avoid what corrupts; otherwise, it is nothing but corruption even if it has the appearance of righteousness! Our master, Imam Ali son of Imam al-Husain (‘a), said the following to al-Zuhri: ‘Beware of saying what the hearts reject even if you have an excuse for saying it, for you cannot excuse everyone who rejects what you may say.’ ( Bihar al-Anwar , Vol. 71, p. 156).

Among the poetry attributed to the Imams (‘a) is the following: The jewels of my knowledge shall I from people hide Lest an ignorant person should see knowledge and is therewith tried. Before me, the Father of al-Hasan (‘a) said the same and why To al-Husain (‘a), having admonished al-Hasan (‘a) thereby. Lord! If the jewels of certain knowledge I discharged, I with the sin of adoring idols will be charged. Thus, some Muslims will find it fit to shed my blood, Seeing as good what is most abhorred.

Such knowledge is very well known. There are many incidents which condone hiding a secret and condemn going to extremes in propagating something. The conclusion achieved therefrom is that one who is dominated by love for secrecy and contempt for its revelation sees through the eyes of reason. When he sees an occasion to reveal, he reveals as much as he sees necessary.

Thus, he follows the recommendations of (‘a) who have said, ‘Do not convey wisdom except to those who are worthy of it; otherwise, you will then do wisdom injustice. Nor should you hold it back from those who are worthy of it; otherwise, you will then be unjust to them. ’ ( Bihar al-Anwar , Vol. 2, p. 78).