Anas reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "There is no infection* and there are no bad omens, although I am pleased by a good omen - a good word." * The majority of scholars interpret this to mean that these things in and of themselves do not transmit or cause harm through supernatural or hidden means but that Allah is ultimately in control and any fearful superstition around these is false.
Exposition of the Hadith on Omens
This noble hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) addresses two prevalent pre-Islamic superstitions: infectious disease transmission through inherent supernatural means and the belief in bad omens (tiyarah). The hadith is recorded in Imam al-Bukhari's "Al-Adab Al-Mufrad" (Hadith 913).
Refutation of Pre-Islamic Superstition
The statement "There is no infection" negates the Jahiliyyah belief that diseases spread automatically without the decree of Allah. It does not contradict observable contagion, but rather denies that it occurs independently of Allah's will and power. The true Muslim believes contagion happens by Allah's decree as a worldly cause (asbab).
Similarly, "there are no bad omens" dismantles the practice of taking pessimistic signs from birds, animals, or events. This is a form of shirk, as it attributes influence over good and evil to other than Allah, fostering fear and reliance on created things rather than the Creator.
The Permissibility of Good Omens (Fa'l)
The Prophet (ﷺ) clarified that he was "pleased by a good omen," defined here as "a good word." This is known as al-fa'l, which is permissible and even recommended. Unlike pessimistic omens, fa'l involves hearing a pleasing word or seeing something that inspires optimism and increased reliance on Allah. It is a means of having a good thought about Allah's bounty.
Scholarly Consensus and Practical Application
The majority of scholars, including Imam an-Nawawi, affirm that the hadith negates superstitious beliefs, not observable causes. One must take permissible means for protection from illness while trusting in Allah. Likewise, one must avoid pessimism from omens and instead practice fa'l by seeking goodness in what they hear and see, always with the understanding that all affairs are ultimately in the hands of Allah.