[Extract from Preface of Islam and Business Ethics by Dr S M Hasanuzzaman,
published by the Institute of Islamic Banking and Insurance, London, UK 2003]

In Islam confidential information is a trust and must be honoured, whether it be contractual or implied and understood. This principle is based on Quranic verses and the Prophet's sayings safeguarding others' secrets, whether express or implicit. These automatically discard using secrets for personal gain, such as the disclosing of trade secrets or undisclosed manufacturing formulas or any other information that might adversely affect the business position of the enterprise concerned.



Source : islamic-banking.com