for Syria, and word reached him that the plague had broken out there. In that report the Prophet ﷺ had said, “If you hear that it is in a land, do not enter it.” Thus the Messenger ﷺ forbade travelling to a region in which plague has appeared. Plague is a deadly epidemic—Allah’s refuge is sought.

Some scholars hold that it is a particular kind of epidemic: wounds and ulcers that spread over the body like a torrent until they finish the victim off. Others say it is a stabbing pain in the abdomen that leads quickly to death. Still others maintain that the word “plague” applies to any sweeping epidemic that spreads rapidly, such as cholera and the like—and this last view is closer to the mark. Even if such illnesses are not explicitly named in the wording, they clearly fall under its meaning.

Every widespread disease that moves swiftly from person to person renders it impermissible for someone to enter the town in which it has appeared. And if it breaks out while you are already there, you must not leave, for leaving would be fleeing from the decree of Allah. Were you to flee, it would surely overtake you. That is why he said, “Do not leave it, fleeing from it.” Going out for a different reason, however—because one had travelled to that town for a need that has now been fulfilled and he simply wishes to return home—poses no problem.

Regarding the hadith narrated by Ibn ʿAbbās—may Allah be pleased with him—he relates that he was with ʿUmar when the latter set out for Syria, very likely, Allah knows best, to open Jerusalem. Partway along the road, the commanders of the army met him and informed him that plague had struck Syria. Plague—may Allah protect us—is a swift-moving, deadly epidemic. ʿUmar halted and ordered ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAbbās—may Allah be pleased with them both—to summon the Muhājirūn. He called them, and ʿUmar consulted them. They differed: some said, “Do not turn back from the purpose for which you set out,” while others said, “Turn back.” ʿUmar then said, “Withdraw from me,” and ordered Ibn ʿAbbās to gather the Anṣār, and he gathered them