❖ A Critical Review of Aḥādīth Related to the Star Thurayyā and the End of Epidemics ❖
A claim made by an astronomer from Jordan gained popularity in Urdu-speaking circles, suggesting that certain Prophetic aḥādīth indicate the end of epidemics by mid-May. He supported this with two narrations:
Narration:
ʿUthmān ibn ʿAbdullāh reports that he asked ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) about the permissibility of buying and selling fruits. He replied that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade the sale of fruits until diseases had passed. When asked when that occurs, he responded:
“Until the rising of the star Thurayyā (the Pleiades).”
(Musnad Aḥmad)
Clarification:
This statement reflects local Arab knowledge and seasonal understanding. The people of that time observed that plant diseases typically subsided around the rising of the star Thurayyā, which coincides with early summer.
➤ The ḥadīth is specifically linked to agricultural produce and plant-based illnesses, and it is not valid to generalize this to global human pandemics like COVID-19.
Narration:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whenever the star Thurayyā rises in the morning, any disease present either ends or decreases.”
(Musnad Aḥmad, Ḥadīth No. 9093)
Clarification:
While this narration may appear to imply a connection between Thurayyā and the decline of illnesses, its chain of transmission is weak. However, due to supporting narrations, some scholars have classified it as ḥasan li-ghayrihi (acceptable due to corroboration).
Narrates from Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه):
“When the star Thurayyā rises, diseases are lifted from all regions.”
However, Ṭaḥāwī explains that the illnesses referred to are those of trees and fruits, not general human diseases.
➤ It is a well-known scientific fact that germs and viruses are more active in spring, while heat in summer naturally reduces their strength.
➤ However, the climate and disease cycles vary across different regions, and this ḥadīth relates to the specific seasonal patterns of Arabia. Therefore, using it as a universal principle is incorrect.
This ḥadīth does not represent a definitive prophecy or hidden knowledge (ghayb). Rather, it is a general observation made by the Prophet ﷺ regarding local weather patterns and their effect on plant diseases.
Thus, interpreting it as a divine prediction about the end of modern epidemics—such as COVID-19—is a misrepresentation.
Reportedly held that the majority of scholars agree the diseases mentioned refer to agricultural illnesses.
Some scholars tried to apply this ḥadīth to general human diseases, using historical patterns as support.
➤ Interpreting aḥādīth based on historical patterns is not methodologically sound.
➤ The correct approach to deriving meaning from ḥadīth lies in the principles of Islamic jurisprudence (uṣūl al-fiqh), not historical speculation.
✔ While it is true that heat naturally reduces the intensity of microbial and viral activity, presenting this as a religious prophecy is misleading.
✔ Taking aḥādīth out of their context to create specific forecasts can become a test of faith for some people—especially if those outcomes do not materialize.
✔ Aḥādīth should be interpreted within their proper textual and historical context, and not manipulated to support contemporary predictions.
❖ Introduction:
A claim made by an astronomer from Jordan gained popularity in Urdu-speaking circles, suggesting that certain Prophetic aḥādīth indicate the end of epidemics by mid-May. He supported this with two narrations:
✦ First Ḥadīth:
Narration:
ʿUthmān ibn ʿAbdullāh reports that he asked ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) about the permissibility of buying and selling fruits. He replied that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade the sale of fruits until diseases had passed. When asked when that occurs, he responded:
“Until the rising of the star Thurayyā (the Pleiades).”
(Musnad Aḥmad)
Clarification:
This statement reflects local Arab knowledge and seasonal understanding. The people of that time observed that plant diseases typically subsided around the rising of the star Thurayyā, which coincides with early summer.
➤ The ḥadīth is specifically linked to agricultural produce and plant-based illnesses, and it is not valid to generalize this to global human pandemics like COVID-19.
✦ Second Ḥadīth:
Narration:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whenever the star Thurayyā rises in the morning, any disease present either ends or decreases.”
(Musnad Aḥmad, Ḥadīth No. 9093)
Clarification:
While this narration may appear to imply a connection between Thurayyā and the decline of illnesses, its chain of transmission is weak. However, due to supporting narrations, some scholars have classified it as ḥasan li-ghayrihi (acceptable due to corroboration).
✦ Explanation by Muḥaddithīn:
➊ Imām Ṭaḥāwī (رحمه الله) – Sharḥ Mushkil al-Āthār:
Narrates from Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه):
“When the star Thurayyā rises, diseases are lifted from all regions.”
However, Ṭaḥāwī explains that the illnesses referred to are those of trees and fruits, not general human diseases.
✦ Scientific and Seasonal Observations:
➤ It is a well-known scientific fact that germs and viruses are more active in spring, while heat in summer naturally reduces their strength.
➤ However, the climate and disease cycles vary across different regions, and this ḥadīth relates to the specific seasonal patterns of Arabia. Therefore, using it as a universal principle is incorrect.
✦ Distinguishing Between Prophecy and Observation:
This ḥadīth does not represent a definitive prophecy or hidden knowledge (ghayb). Rather, it is a general observation made by the Prophet ﷺ regarding local weather patterns and their effect on plant diseases.
Thus, interpreting it as a divine prediction about the end of modern epidemics—such as COVID-19—is a misrepresentation.
✦ Scholarly Opinions:
➤ Abū al-ʿAbbās al-Qurṭubī (رحمه الله):
Reportedly held that the majority of scholars agree the diseases mentioned refer to agricultural illnesses.
➤ Alternate Views:
Some scholars tried to apply this ḥadīth to general human diseases, using historical patterns as support.
✦ Critique of the Broader Interpretation:
➤ Interpreting aḥādīth based on historical patterns is not methodologically sound.
➤ The correct approach to deriving meaning from ḥadīth lies in the principles of Islamic jurisprudence (uṣūl al-fiqh), not historical speculation.
❖ Conclusion:
✔ While it is true that heat naturally reduces the intensity of microbial and viral activity, presenting this as a religious prophecy is misleading.
✔ Taking aḥādīth out of their context to create specific forecasts can become a test of faith for some people—especially if those outcomes do not materialize.
✔ Aḥādīth should be interpreted within their proper textual and historical context, and not manipulated to support contemporary predictions.
