After all these years and experiences, my friend, never—ever—accept to listen to useless talk about anyone you love, care about, or who matters to you. Don’t you dare relax your guard, inquire too much, pry, interrogate, insistently demand secrets or hidden truths about them.

Absolutely refuse to hear about their falls, mistakes, or scandals they committed in moments of weakness, carelessness, or difficult circumstances that God may have covered for them. And when someone comes to tell you about your friend, brother, neighbor, or colleague, just say firmly:
“Please, I don’t want to know. Don’t tell me.”

Whoever comes telling you those things will forever burn that person’s image in your eyes. Believe me, those secrets and faults you heard will always come back to your mind every time you see or talk to them. You might feel disgust, worry, fear, or doubt, and you will lose them and fall from their sight just because you learned a secret God had protected and forgiven.

You will lose trust in them forever, and your relationship will be ruined for life. It might be your father, your brother, your son, or your closest friend.

Listen, we all have flaws and make mistakes. We seek God’s forgiveness day and night. The only difference between us and them is that God covered our faults, but theirs were exposed. God preserved us, and they fell. God had mercy on us and kept us away from shame.

Fear God for yourselves and your families. Don’t consume each other’s flesh by backbiting, spreading corruption among people, and hurting others. Cover the faults of those who made mistakes among you, advise them, or pray for their guidance — maybe they’ll find the right path.

Don’t destroy their homes and ruin their families’ lives with gossip, lies, nonsense, and idle talk.

Do not show glee at your brother’s hardship—God might guide him and test you instead.

And I never forget those immortal verses by Imam Al-Shafi’i, which I’ve memorized since childhood:

• If you want to live safe from harm,
  Keep your religion pure and guard your honor.

• With your tongue, never mention a person’s flaws,
  For we all have faults, and people have tongues.

• And if your eyes see a fault in someone,
  Leave it and say, “O eyes, people have flaws.”

• Treat others kindly, forgive those who wrong you,
  But defend yourself, and do so in the best way.

I say what you have read and ask God Almighty for forgiveness for me and for you.

With all my love, dear friends, and blessed Friday.