Prohibition of leaving an epidemic place

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullaahi wa-barakaatuh.

Plague is a serious bacterial infection that can be deadly. Sometimes referred to as the “black plague,” the disease is caused by a bacterial strain called Yersinia pestis. This bacterium is found in animals throughout the world and is usually transmitted to humans through fleas^[1].

The famous Hadith of Rasulullaah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) which prohibits one from fleeing or entering a place wherein there is an outbreak of an epidemic is restricted to plague.

إذا سمعتم بالطاعون بأرض فلا تدخلوها، وإذا وقعت بأرض وأنتم بها فلا تخرجوا منها

Translation: “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.” (Bukhaari 5728)

And Allaah Ta’aala Knows Best.

Muajul I. Chowdhury

Student, Darul Iftaa

Astoria, New York, USA

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.