Usama approached the Prophet (ﷺ) on behalf of a woman (who had committed theft). The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The people before you were destroyed because they used to inflict the legal punishments on the poor and forgive the rich. By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! If Fatima (the daughter of the Prophet (ﷺ) ) did that (i.e. stole), I would cut off her hand."
Limits and Punishments set by Allah (Hudood)
Sahih al-Bukhari - Hadith 6787
Context and Background
This narration concerns Usama ibn Zayd's intercession for a woman from the Makhzum tribe who committed theft. The Makhzum were among the noble families of Quraysh, and their members sought to avoid the prescribed punishment through influential intermediaries.
Divine Justice in Application
The Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized that previous nations were destroyed due to selective application of divine laws - punishing the weak while excusing the powerful. This establishes the fundamental Islamic principle that Allah's limits (hudood) must be applied equally to all, regardless of social status.
The Fatima Declaration
The Prophet's declaration regarding his daughter Fatima demonstrates the absolute nature of divine justice. Scholars note this establishes that no human relationship, not even the closest familial bond, can override the application of Allah's prescribed punishments when the legal conditions are met.
Scholarly Commentary
Classical scholars like Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explain that this hadith establishes several key principles: the obligation of implementing hudood equally, the prohibition of intercession in prescribed punishments, and that Islamic law transcends tribal loyalties and social hierarchies. The punishment serves as both a purification for the offender and a protection for society.