Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, 'There is no 'Adwa (no disease is conveyed from the sick to the healthy without Allah's permission), nor Safar, nor Hama." A bedouin stood up and said, "Then what about my camels? They are like deer on the sand, but when a mangy camel comes and mixes with them, they all get infected with mangy." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Then who conveyed the (mange) disease to the first one?"
Hadith Commentary from Sahih al-Bukhari
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (5717) addresses fundamental Islamic beliefs regarding disease transmission and divine decree. The Prophet's initial statement negates pre-Islamic superstitions while affirming Allah's ultimate control over all affairs.
Explanation of Key Terms
'Adwa refers to the pre-Islamic belief in automatic disease contagion without Allah's will. Safar was a superstition about certain months being unlucky. Hama was the belief that the dead could return as owls.
The Prophet's rhetorical question to the bedouin emphasizes that all disease originates from Allah's decree, not mere natural causes operating independently of divine will.
Scholarly Interpretation
Classical scholars explain this hadith affirms tawhid (divine unity) by rejecting independent causality while acknowledging apparent causes as manifestations of Allah's wisdom. Contagion operates within Allah's predetermined system.
Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes this teaching corrects misconceptions without denying observable patterns, directing believers to recognize Allah as the true cause behind all apparent causes.
Practical Implications
This teaching encourages Muslims to take preventive measures against disease while maintaining reliance on Allah. It strikes balance between practical precautions and spiritual trust in divine decree.
The hadith does not prohibit quarantine or medical prevention but rather corrects the underlying belief system, ensuring Muslims attribute all outcomes ultimately to Allah's will.