Whenever disclosure is permitted, it should be restricted to the extent required to achieve the intended Sharʿī objective, for necessity is measured according t

Al-ʿAllāmah ʿAbd ar-Raḥmān ibn Nāṣir as-Saʿdī (رحمه الله) said: "Be one who preserves secrets and is known among the people for safeguarding them. For if they know this quality from you, they will entrust you with their secrets, and they will excuse you for concealing the secret of another which they themselves would fear to have disclosed. This is especially important if you have connections with opposing parties, for the means used to extract what you know become many and varied from both sides. Therefore, beware, beware that any of them should obtain anything from you, whether explicitly or implicitly. Know that people have subtle methods and hidden avenues through which they seek to extract what a person knows. So keep every possibility in mind, even if it seems remote, and do not leave any avenue through which you may be approached. This is from prudence. Be certain that you will never regret remaining silent and concealing a matter. Rather, harm and regret usually arise from haste, recklessness, and placing a degree of trust in people that leads one to what is harmful." Ar-Riyāḍ an-Nāḍirah, (p. 210). One of the poets described the trustworthy person who safeguards the secrets of his companion, saying: ويُكَتِّم الأسرارَ حتَّى إنَّهُ * لَيَصُونُها عن أن تَمُرَّ بِبالِهِ "He conceals secrets to such an extent that he even guards them from passing through his own thoughts." Ad-Dharīʿah ilā Makārim ash-Sharīʿah, (p. 297). Thus, the foundation remains the preservation of trusts, concealment of faults, and safeguarding of confidential speech. Yet these objectives are not pursued at the expense of truth, justice, and the prevention of harm. Therefore, when disclosure becomes necessary to repel oppression, establish the truth, protect the innocent, or prevent clear harm, the matter is judged according to its circumstances and in light of the recognised principles of the Sharīʿah. والله أعلم، وصلى الله وسلم على نبينا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين. ---------------- Abu ʿAṭīyah 28/12/1447H.