Merits of the Plague by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani

Author:Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani [Hajar al-Asqalani, Ibn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2023-03-07T00:00:00+00:00

Al-Bayhaqī records from Qays ibn Muslim, who said, “I heard the following from Ṭāriq ibn Shihāb”:

We used to converse with Abū Mūsā al-Ashʿarī. One day, he said to us, “You do not need to inquire about me. This plague has occurred in my own family. If any of you wish to avoid me, he may do so. But beware of two things. First, the one who says, ‘The one who flees is thereby safe, while the one who remained behind is thereby afflicted’; and ‘if only you had left, you would have been saved, just like that other person was saved when he fled.’ Second, the person who says, ‘If I had I stayed, I would have been afflicted, just like that other person was afflicted.’ I only tell you what is incumbent upon people during the plague.”

I was with Abū ʿUbayda when the plague struck Syria. ʿUmar had written to him with the following: “When this letter of mine arrives, I order you to come to me. If it comes to you in the morning, do not do anything other than begin riding your mount. If it comes to you in the evening, do not let the night pass without you on your mount making your way to me. There has emerged a situation for which I need you, and only you will suffice regarding it.”

When Abū ʿUbayda read the letter, he said, “The Commander of the Believers has sought to delay what cannot be delayed.” He wrote him a letter with the following: “I am in the midst of an army composed of Muslims. I do not desire to leave them. I know exactly of the need of the Commander of the Believers, so release me from your order.”

When ʿUmar received the letter, he wept. He was asked, “Has Abū ʿUbayda died?” He replied, “No, but it is as if he has,” meaning that he has drawn close to it.

ʿUmar wrote him back: “As for Jordan, its land is swamp spoiled by an abundance of humidity. As for al-Jābiya, its land is untouched, so make haste with the Muslims to al-Jābiya.”

Abū ʿUbayda then told me: “Set out and settle the Muslims in their new homes.”

I said, “I cannot do it.”

So he left and started riding out and said to me: “Move the people.” Something took hold of him, and he was pierced by the plague. He died as a result, and then the plague was removed.[56]

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.