`Umar bin Al-Khattab departed for Sham and when he reached Sargh, the commanders of the (Muslim) army, Abu 'Ubaida bin Al-Jarrah and his companions met him and told him that an epidemic had broken out in Sham. `Umar said, "Call for me the early emigrants." So `Umar called them, consulted them and informed them that an epidemic had broken out in Sham. Those people differed in their opinions. Some of them said, "We have come out for a purpose and we do not think that it is proper to give it up," while others said (to `Umar), "You have along with you. other people and the companions of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) so do not advise that we take them to this epidemic." `Umar said to them, "Leave me now." Then he said, "Call the Ansar for me." I called them and he consulted them and they followed the way of the emigrants and differed as they did. He then said to them, Leave me now," and added, "Call for me the old people of Quraish who emigrated in the year of the Conquest of Mecca." I called them and they gave a unanimous opinion saying, "We advise that you should return with the people and do not take them to that (place) of epidemic." So `Umar made an announcement, "I will ride back to Medina in the morning, so you should do the same." Abu 'Ubaida bin Al-Jarrah said (to `Umar), "Are you running away from what Allah had ordained?" `Umar said, "Would that someone else had said such a thing, O Abu 'Ubaida! Yes, we are running from what Allah had ordained to what Allah has ordained. Don't you agree that if you had camels that went down a valley having two places, one green and the other dry, you would graze them on the green one only if Allah had ordained that, and you would graze them on the dry one only if Allah had ordained that?" At that time `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf, who had been absent because of some job, came and said, "I have some knowledge about this. I have heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, 'If you hear about it (an outbreak of plague) in a land, do not go to it; but if plague breaks out in a country where you are staying, do not run away from it.' " `Umar thanked Allah and returned to Medina.
Hadith Commentary: The Plague of Amwas
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (5729) in the Book of Medicine presents a profound lesson in Islamic jurisprudence regarding epidemics and public health. The incident occurred during the caliphate of `Umar ibn al-Khattab when he was traveling to Syria (Sham) and learned of an outbreak at Sargh.
Consultative Leadership in Islam
`Umar's methodology demonstrates the Islamic principle of shura (consultation). He systematically consulted three groups: the early emigrants (Muhajireen), the helpers (Ansar), and the Qurayshi elders. This shows that in matters affecting public welfare, Muslim rulers must seek collective wisdom.
The differing opinions reflect legitimate scholarly differences (ikhtilaf) in understanding religious obligations during crises. Some emphasized completing the journey's purpose, while others prioritized protection from harm.
Divine Decree and Human Responsibility
Abu 'Ubaida's objection questioned whether avoiding the plague contradicted belief in divine decree (qadar). `Umar's brilliant response clarifies that while we accept Allah's ultimate decree, we must take appropriate means (asbab) within the boundaries of Islamic law.
The camel analogy beautifully illustrates that choosing the green pasture over the dry one doesn't negate divine decree - both are within Allah's ordainment, and we're responsible for choosing the better option through wisdom and guidance.
Prophetic Guidance on Epidemics
The hadith narrated by `Abdur-Rahman ibn `Auf provides the definitive Prophetic guidance: "If you hear about plague in a land, do not enter it; and if it breaks out in a land where you are, do not flee from it." This establishes two complementary principles: preventive quarantine for unaffected areas and steadfastness in affected areas.
This guidance demonstrates Islam's advanced understanding of public health measures centuries before modern epidemiology. The prohibition against fleeing infected areas prevents widespread transmission, while avoiding plague-stricken lands constitutes early quarantine principles.
Juridical Implications
Scholars derive from this incident that taking precautions during epidemics doesn't contradict tawakkul (reliance on Allah). Rather, it represents acting upon causes within divine permission. The unanimous agreement of the Qurayshi elders after hearing the Prophetic tradition shows how revelation resolves scholarly differences.
This narration forms the basis for Islamic rulings on quarantine, travel restrictions during pandemics, and the balance between religious obligations and public health safety.