When you hold secret counsel (Surah Al-Mujadilah 58: 9)

Manners of the Najwa, (Secret Counsel)

Allah the Exalted teaches His believing servants to avoid the ways of the disbelievers and hypocrites,

O you who believe! When you hold secret counsel, do it not for sin and wrongdoing, and disobedience to the Messenger, meaning, do not hold evil secret counsels like the ignorant disbelieving People of the Scriptures and their allies among the hypocrites, who imitate their ways,

but do it for Al-Birr and Taqwa; and have Taqwa of Allah unto Whom you shall be gathered. and He will then inform you of all your deeds and statements; He has counted and recorded them and will justly hold you accountable for them.


Source: Tafsir ibn Kathir (Abridged)