Spying, Defamation and Disclosing Secrets 8item Psychiatrists often ask their patients about personal and family matters with a view to reaching a diagnosis and prescribing a treatment. Is it permissible for the patient to answer such questions? Is it permissible to talk, in the presence of other people, about one’s secrets or private life? Is it permissible to snoop on the believers’ properties and pass information on them to oppressive governments, especially when such action inflicts losses on them or offend them? Is it permissible to reveal the wrong doings or treacheries of some officials to the people? Is it permissible for the students in an education centre to report to the officials concerned what they see as corrupt practices with a view to preventing them taking hold? I have received reports regarding the embezzlement of public assets of Muslims by a particular person. Upon investigation, some of these allegations proved to be true. However, when he was questioned, he denied all the charges. Is it permissible for me to send the reports to the court, noting that it may prove embarrassing to him? On the assumption that it is not permissible to approach the court, what is the position of the people who know about this matter? Some people talk about certain negative aspects and weakness within the Islamic Republic. What is the view on listening to such conversations? We notice that some newspapers are full of reports about arresting thieves, cheats, and groups of bribe-takers within government departments. Similar news of people carrying out vile deeds, corruption, and running indecent nightclubs abounds. Does the publication of such news contribute to spreading indecency?