It is narrated from Abdullah bin Rabee’ah that Abdur Rahman bin Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) informed Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) when he was going to Syria that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “With this affliction or disease, previous nations were punished. When you hear of this epidemic spreading in a land, do not enter it, and when you are in a place and this disease spreads there, do not flee from it.” He said: Upon hearing this hadith, Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) turned back.