THE WISDOM OF
CONFIDENTIALITY

Accounts of the peaceful takeover of Makkah relate that the Prophet instructed the Muslims in Madinah to prepare for a journey. As they began making the necessary arrangements, Abu Bakr Siddiq visited the home of his daughter Aisha, the Prophet’s wife, and found her helping with the preparations for the journey.

He asked, “Has the Prophet told you to make these preparations?” Aisha replied, “Yes.” Abu Bakr then asked, “Where are you going?” She answered, “By God, I do not know.” (Sirat Ibn Hisham, Vol. 2, p. 397)

The Prophet made it a practice to maintain strict confidentiality in sensitive matters. He followed the same principle during the campaign that led to his victorious but bloodless entry into Makkah. He left Madinah with ten thousand Companions without revealing their destination. Only when they reached the point where the road turned towards Makkah did the Companions realize where they were heading.

Confidentiality is essential in sensitive collective matters. Success often depends on preventing the other side from learning of a plan in advance. The Prophet observed this principle with great care throughout his life. (Al-Risala, January 1999)