It is narrated from Sayyiduna Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) that once the plague was mentioned in the presence of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "It is a punishment that was sent upon the nations before you. Therefore, if you hear of an outbreak of this epidemic in a land, do not go there, and if it breaks out in a land where you are, do not leave from there."