He heard his father asking Usamah ibn Zeid about what he has heard from the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) about the plague. Usamah said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: The plague is a punishment sent down upon a group of the Children of Israel or upon some of those who were before you. So if you hear of it in a land, do not go to it. And if it outbreaks in a land while you are in it, do not leave it fleeing from it.