On the morning of its ninth day the people gathered at the Mihrab of the Companions and, dividing the task among themselves, recited Surah Nuh three thousand three hundred and sixty-three times, in accordance with a dream in which a man saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and was directed to recite it in that number (1).
During this same month deaths multiplied because of the plague: each day the toll exceeded one hundred—indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we return. Whenever it struck a household it scarcely left before most of its members had died; yet, in view of the city’s vast population, the figure was still relatively small. In these days of the month a great multitude passed away, especially women, for mortality among them was far, far higher than among the men.
Beginning with the sunset prayer on the night preceding Friday, the 6th of Rabiʿ al-Akhir, the preacher introduced the qunut in all the prayers, beseeching Allah to lift the plague. The congregation responded with humility, contrition, and earnest supplication.
Still, the deaths in this month grew enormous, surpassing two hundred a day—indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we return. Their number doubled, public business came to a halt, the burial of the dead was delayed, and the fees exacted for coffins, washers, and pall-bearers soared, causing hardship for the people, especially the poor, because exorbitant sums were taken for every corpse. Accordingly, the deputy of the Sultan abolished those charges, and a proclamation to that effect was issued on Monday, the 16th of Rabiʿ al-Akhir. Numerous biers were endowed throughout the city, relieving the populace, yet the dead remained many—Allah’s help is sought (2).
On Monday the 23rd of the month it was proclaimed that the people should fast for three days, and that on the fourth day—Friday—they should go to the Mosque of al-Qadam to implore Allah to remove the plague. Most of the populace fasted; they slept in the congregational mosque and spent the night in worship as in Ramadan. At dawn on Friday, the 27th, people streamed out from every quarter—Jews, Christians, Samaritans, elders, old women, children, paupers, emirs, grandees, and judges—after the dawn prayer, and they remained there invoking Allah Most High until the day was far advanced. It was a memorable day.
On Thursday the 10th of Jumada al-Ula the preacher, after the noon prayer, led the funeral prayer for sixteen dead at once; the sight startled and terrified the people. That day the plague was so rampant that the toll in the city and its environs was perhaps close to three hundred—indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we return. Later the funeral prayer was held for fifteen more in the Great Mosque of Damascus, and prayers were offered for eleven souls—may Allah be pleased with them.
On Monday the 21st of the same month the deputy of the Sultanate ordered that the dogs in the city be killed, for they had become numerous.