79: Respecting Confidentiality
We are instructed in the Qur’an to fulfill our trusts [Qur'an 4:58] and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) clearly indicated that keeping confidential matters confidential is part of keeping trust. If a person confides in another person and turns away, it has become a trust. This is a matter of ethics as well as in the interest of society at large.
Importance of Keeping Secret
The Prophet (pbuh) described the three signs of the hypocrite as one who lies when he speaks, breaks his promise and betrays trust when confided in.
- Guarding a secret can be likened to guarding one's chastity. A person who keeps a secret; whether his own or another's, has kept himself innocent.
- To keep a secret and to respect the secrets of others – not pry after them - is a virtue related to self-discipline and sensitivity.
- It cannot be expected of one who shows disregard for the consequences of his words and actions, one who cannot be discreet, to guard a secret.
- The person to whom you entrust a secret should be someone you would trust with your honor. That person must be as meticulous about keeping your secret as he/she would be about his/her own honor.
- An unreliable person, a tell-tale, gossiper, backbiter, or troublemaker should never be charged with keeping your secret. The Caliph ‘Umar said; Do not assist the backbiter ... He disclosed a bad feature that was screened and has unveiled what was covered.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said; Shall I tell you what is the bite of the troublemaker ? It is the gossiper, carrying tales between people.
Imam Shaf’ie advised; Be aware that a person who carries tales to you will carry tales about you. - Imam Hasan, Grand-son of the Prophet said: It is a betrayal of trust to disclose confidential matters.
Professional Confidentiality
Confidentiality is one of the core tenets of medical/legal practice. Yet daily physicians/lawyers face challenges to this long-standing obligation to keep personal information between them and patient/client private.
The obligation of confidentiality both prohibits the physician/lawyer from disclosing information about the patient's/client’s case to other interested parties and encourages them to take precautions with the information to ensure that only authorized access occurs.
Confidentiality is not absolute
Confidentiality is not an absolute obligation. Situations do arise where the harm in maintaining confidentiality is greater than the harm brought about by disclosing confidential information.
Confidentiality can be breached when there exists beyond reasonable doubt concern for ...
- the well-being of the person (e.g. suicidal person)
- the safety of other specific persons (e.g. intends to marry and has AIDS)
- public welfare (e.g. person plans to commit crime)
Release of confidential information may therefore depend on the nature of the secret as well as the motive of the person revealing it. So, be very careful what you say about others, to whom you say it and why you say it.
Matters of Personal Secrecy
A secret, a confession, a confidence requires trust. That's why police must read people their Miranda rights (among which is the right to remain silent). They tell the people being arrested that anything they say can and will be held against them. Remember, to him that you tell your secret you resign your liberty. [Old African Proverb]
Hearts are created as safes for keeping secrets; intelligence is their lock; will power is their key. It is impossible for anyone to break through to the valuables of the safe as long as the lock and key are not faulty. In dealing with personal secrets, remember ...
- Thy friend has a friend, and thy friend's friend has a friend; so be cautious what you say to whom. [Talmud]
- If you reveal your secrets to the wind you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees. [Lebanese Maronite poet, Khalil Gibran]
- How can we expect another to keep our secret if we have been unable to keep it ourselves? [François Duc de La Rochefoucauld]
By disclosing a personal secret, personal honor is interfered with; by disclosing a family secret, family honor is interfered with. Because of this, a secret is a private matter as long as it stays in the keeping of its owner, but is a weapon that may be used against its owner if it passes into the hands of others. That is the meaning of one of the sayings of Sayedna ‘Ali;
Your secret is your prisoner; but if you disclose it, you become its prisoner.