What is the ruling on someone who refuses to delete a message sent to him by a friend, which contained secrets and whose sender requested that they not be divulged, and then asked for its deletion? Is he entitled to do so? And what are the consequences for someone who divulges a secret entrusted to him?

Preserving a secret is obligatory, and divulging it is forbidden. The obligation to keep a secret is further emphasized if a person has sworn an oath to do so; in such a case, it is impermissible for him to disclose it, and doing so exposes him to divine punishment. Thus, divulging a secret is forbidden, and the one who commits this act is susceptible to punishment in this world and the Hereafter, even if the texts do not specify the exact nature of this punishment. It is not mandatory to delete the message from the mobile phone, but it is preferable to do so, especially if there is a fear of someone else seeing it. As for one who swore to keep a secret and then divulged it, in addition to the sin, he must offer expiation for breaking an oath.