someone other than you had said it, for Abu Ubaydah held a high rank in the esteem of Umar, the Commander of the Faithful. We flee from Allah’s decree to Allah’s decree: from the decree of Allah by which we would be casting ourselves into destruction, were we to proceed there, to the decree of Allah by which we remain safe. If they proceed to Syria, it is by Allah’s decree; and if they return, it is by Allah’s decree.

He then gave him an example: suppose he had camels in a valley with two sides, one fertile and the other barren. He said to him, “Would you not go to the fertile side?” He replied, “Certainly.” He said, “Then, if you go to the fertile side, it is by Allah’s decree; and if you go to the barren side, it is by Allah’s decree. But you would not choose the barren side. Likewise, we do not choose to proceed to a land afflicted by plague.”

So they returned—and all praise is due to Allah—and were guided to what was correct. Meanwhile, Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf, may Allah be pleased with him, arrived. He had been absent on some business. When he heard the news, he came to Umar and said, “Commander of the Faithful, I heard the Prophet ﷺ say: ‘If you hear that plague has broken out in a land, do not enter it; and if it breaks out in a land while you are there, do not leave it in flight from it.’” Umar said, “All praise is due to Allah” (1).

None of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, had heard this hadith except Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf, may Allah be pleased with him. Yet, all praise is due to Allah, the Sacred Law is preserved; it cannot be lost. Everything that the Messenger ﷺ conveyed of Allah’s Sacred Law is preserved, as Allah, exalted is He, says: “Indeed, it is We who sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We will be its Guardian.” [al-Hijr]

Thus, if plague breaks out in a land, we are forbidden to leave it in flight from it; and if it breaks out in a land, we are forbidden to enter that land.