إِنَّ الْمُسْتَشَارَ مُؤْتَمَنٌ
Translation: The person asked for advice is entrusted with a responsibility.
Source: الترمذي
Someone asked for advice can influence another person’s important decision. Such a person should protect confidential information, offer truthful guidance within their competence, and consider the likely benefits and harms fairly. Admitting a lack of expertise is itself part of integrity.
الْمُسْتَشَارَ means “the person consulted,” a passive participle derived from اسْتَشَارَ (to seek advice). مُؤْتَمَنٌ means entrusted with responsibility and functions as the predicate. إِنَّ emphasizes that duty.
Hiding a conflict of interest or giving false reassurance is not sincere counsel.