The ruling on leaving a plague-stricken town to escape the plague

Question : An important question. The saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): “Fleeing from it.” If one leaves, not to flee from it, is that permissible, or do we say that because it may be a cause of the spread of infection, he should not leave?

Answer : We do not say he should leave; there is no harm as long as he is healthy. But if he is sick, it may be said that from the perspective of the authority, the one in authority has the right to order him to stay so that the plague does not spread from his side. Although the plague—may Allah grant us and you safety—may spread through the infected person, and it may spread through the air; the wind carries plagues.