The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "If you hear of an outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it; but if the plague breaks out in a place while you are in it, do not leave that place."
Hadith Text & Context
"If you hear of an outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it; but if the plague breaks out in a place while you are in it, do not leave that place." (Sahih al-Bukhari 5728)
This profound teaching from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) addresses the proper conduct during epidemic outbreaks, establishing principles of quarantine and containment that demonstrate remarkable foresight in public health management.
Linguistic Analysis
The term "ṭā'ūn" (plague) refers specifically to epidemic diseases that cause widespread mortality. Classical scholars note that this ruling extends by analogy to all contagious epidemics that threaten public health.
The prohibition "lā tadkhulūhā" (do not enter it) employs the emphatic negative particle, indicating the strength of this prohibition when plague is confirmed in a territory.
Legal Rulings & Wisdom
Imam al-Nawawi explains that this hadith establishes two complementary principles: prevention through avoiding affected areas, and containment through remaining in affected areas to prevent further spread.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes in Fath al-Bari that this prohibition serves multiple wisdoms: protecting individual health, preventing community transmission, and demonstrating trust in Divine Decree (qadar).
The ruling applies regardless of whether one fears the disease or not, as it constitutes a collective obligation (farḍ kifāyah) to protect public welfare.
Spiritual Dimensions
Remaining in a plague-stricken area while trusting in Allah's decree earns the believer the reward of martyrdom, as established in other authentic narrations.
This teaching beautifully balances taking permissible means (asbāb) with complete reliance upon Allah (tawakkul), rejecting the pre-Islamic notion of contagion as an independent cause separate from Divine Will.
Contemporary Application
Modern scholars unanimously apply this ruling to all contagious epidemics, including COVID-19, Ebola, and similar outbreaks, making it perpetually relevant for public health policy.
The principles established in this hadith form the foundation for Islamic quarantine regulations and demonstrate Islam's comprehensive approach to preserving life, one of the five essential objectives of Islamic law (maqāṣid al-sharī'ah).