He reported God's messenger as saying, “There is no infection, no evil omen, no hama*, and no serpent in a hungry belly*; but flee from one who has tubercular leprosy as you would from a lion." Bukhari transmitted it.* The word means an owl, or a night-bird which frequents graves. The pre-Islamic Arabs believed that when vengeance had not been taken for one who had been killed a bird called hama came forth from the dead and screeched demanding vengeance.** The word is safar. The pre-Islaraic Arabs used the word as meaning a serpent which bites a man from within when he is hungry and causes the sense of stinging a man feels when hungry. It was also used of a serpent within the belly which was believed to cause a disease more contagious than mange or scab.
Medicine and Spells - Mishkat al-Masabih 4577
This noble hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) addresses several pre-Islamic superstitions while affirming the principles of divine decree and practical wisdom. The statement "There is no infection" initially appears to contradict observable reality, but scholars explain this negation refers to the pre-Islamic belief that diseases spread inherently without Allah's permission. The Prophet thus corrected their understanding while acknowledging contagion's reality in other narrations.
Refutation of Pre-Islamic Superstitions
The rejection of evil omens (tiyara) condemns the pre-Islamic practice of drawing negative conclusions from birds' flights or other natural phenomena. True believers understand all affairs are in Allah's hands alone.
The denial of "hama" refutes the pagan belief that a dead person's soul becomes an owl seeking vengeance. Islam teaches that souls remain in barzakh (the intermediate state) until Judgment Day.
The dismissal of "safar" as a serpent in the hungry belly rejects the superstition that hunger causes internal snake bites. The Prophet clarified hunger is a natural sensation, not supernatural affliction.
Practical Medical Guidance
Despite negating superstitious contagion, the command to "flee from one who has tubercular leprosy as you would from a lion" demonstrates Islam's practical approach to health. Scholars explain this as taking permissible means (asbab) for protection while relying ultimately on Allah. This balance between tawakkul (trust in God) and practical precaution is fundamental to Islamic medicine.