Is it forbidden to conceal worldly knowledge?
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The questioner : Is there a warning for whoever conceals knowledge, or not, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : Concealing knowledge?
The questioner : Concealing religious knowledge.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Does this extend to worldly knowledge, considering that revealing some worldly knowledge might lead to harm?
The Shaykh : Yes, concealing worldly knowledge is not forbidden; a person may keep it to himself, just as if he learned about computers or something of mathematics or engineering, he may keep it to himself. But we see that the stingiest of people is the one who prevents the teaching of these things. What harm is there if he teaches it?
The questioner : It may lead to harm, O Shaykh, especially if it is in the field of circuits, for example. There may be some things that ordinary people use, and revealing them and spreading them among people, while he knows they have a harm, may lead to that harm?
The Shaykh : So, if there is harm, if he fears harm, he conceals everything, even religious knowledge, if he fears harm. Did not the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) say to Mu'adh: Everything that results in harm is prevented from being spread. But religious knowledge is specifically distinguished in that whoever is asked about knowledge and conceals it, and it is religious knowledge, he will be bridled on the Day of Resurrection with a bridle of fire. We ask Allah for safety. Unless he conceals it for a benefit, then there is no harm. In order, in order, on the left.
The Shaykh : Concealing knowledge?
The questioner : Concealing religious knowledge.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Does this extend to worldly knowledge, considering that revealing some worldly knowledge might lead to harm?
The Shaykh : Yes, concealing worldly knowledge is not forbidden; a person may keep it to himself, just as if he learned about computers or something of mathematics or engineering, he may keep it to himself. But we see that the stingiest of people is the one who prevents the teaching of these things. What harm is there if he teaches it?
The questioner : It may lead to harm, O Shaykh, especially if it is in the field of circuits, for example. There may be some things that ordinary people use, and revealing them and spreading them among people, while he knows they have a harm, may lead to that harm?
The Shaykh : So, if there is harm, if he fears harm, he conceals everything, even religious knowledge, if he fears harm. Did not the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) say to Mu'adh: