Abu Salamah bin Abdur Rahman narrated: He said that Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) set out towards Syria, and with him also went the companions (may Allah be pleased with them) of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). There, Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with him) welcomed him, and at that time he was the governor of Syria. He said to Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): "You should go back; with me is the roar of Hell and its burning heat." He (Umar) said: "I am not going to turn back; this is a condition which Allah the Exalted has decreed. We can neither go beyond it nor retreat from it." So he (Abu Ubaidah) said: "You must take the companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) back, otherwise I will tear my shirt." He (Umar) said: "I am not going to do that." Then Abdur Rahman (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: 'When you hear of the outbreak of this disease in a land, do not go towards it.'" Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "O Abu Muhammad! Did you hear this from the Messenger of Allah?" He said: "Yes!" So Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) turned back upon hearing this, and the people with him also turned back.