What is the answer to those who cite the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (and the bag: if I were to spread it, this neck would be cut…) as evidence for the existence of secrecy in Islam?

Question:
This questioner says that some people cite the statement of Abu Hurayrah, “And the bag: if I were to spread it, this neck would be cut,” pointing to his neck, as evidence that there may be secrecy in Islam.

Answer:
No, this concerns the trials (fitan); it is not about secrecy. This is regarding the trials: if you fear for your life by revealing knowledge during a trial, that is an excuse for you because you do not clarify it. This was the intention of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him). Yes, the hadiths about trials that he memorized: when the trials came, he did not narrate them out of fear for his own life.