The Quraish people became very worried about the Makhzumiya lady who had committed theft. They said, "Nobody can speak (in favor of the lady) to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and nobody dares do that except Usama who is the favorite of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). " When Usama spoke to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) about that matter, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Do you intercede (with me) to violate one of the legal punishment of Allah?" Then he got up and addressed the people, saying, "O people! The nations before you went astray because if a noble person committed theft, they used to leave him, but if a weak person among them committed theft, they used to inflict the legal punishment on him. By Allah, if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad committed theft, Muhammad will cut off her hand.!"
Context and Background
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 6788 addresses a pivotal moment in Islamic legal history where tribal favoritism threatened to undermine divine justice.
The Makhzumiyah woman belonged to a powerful Qurayshi clan, demonstrating how pre-Islamic tribal loyalties persisted even after conversion to Islam.
Divine Justice Transcends Status
The Prophet's response establishes the fundamental Islamic principle that Allah's limits (Hudood) apply equally to all Muslims regardless of social standing.
His declaration about cutting Fatima's hand emphasizes that divine law supersedes even the closest familial bonds - a revolutionary concept in seventh-century Arabia.
Scholarly Commentary on Intercession
Classical scholars like Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explain that intercession becomes forbidden when it seeks to prevent the implementation of divinely prescribed punishments.
The Prophet's rhetorical question to Usama establishes that no personal relationship can justify interference with Allah's prescribed limits.
Historical Precedent of Nations
The Prophet references the downfall of previous nations who applied justice selectively, warning Muslims against repeating this fatal error.
This serves as both a historical lesson and theological principle: inconsistent application of divine law leads to societal corruption and divine displeasure.
Legal Implications
This hadith forms the foundation for Islamic criminal law regarding theft, establishing that the prescribed punishment applies universally once legal conditions are met.
Scholars derive from this that Islamic judges must resist all forms of pressure when implementing Hudood punishments.