The people of Quraish worried about the lady from Bani Makhzum who had committed theft. They asked, "Who will intercede for her with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)?" Some said, "No one dare to do so except Usama bin Zaid the beloved one to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ." When Usama spoke about that to Allah's Apostle Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, (to him), "Do you try to intercede for somebody in a case connected with Allah's Prescribed Punishments?" Then he got up and delivered a sermon saying, "What destroyed the nations preceding you, was that if a noble amongst them stole, they would forgive him, and if a poor person amongst them stole, they would inflict Allah's Legal punishment on him. By Allah, if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad stole, I would cut off her hand."
Contextual Background
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 3475 addresses a critical incident during the Prophet's era where tribal privilege threatened to undermine divine justice.
A noblewoman from the influential Banu Makhzum clan committed theft, causing the Quraysh leadership to seek special intercession rather than accept the prescribed punishment.
Scholarly Commentary on the Intercession Attempt
Usama ibn Zaid's intercession, though well-intentioned, represents the human tendency to show leniency toward the elite. The Prophet's stern response establishes that Allah's hudud (prescribed punishments) admit no preferential treatment.
Classical scholars note that the Prophet's rhetorical question "Do you try to intercede for somebody in a case connected with Allah's Prescribed Punishments?" emphasizes the sanctity of divine limits which cannot be compromised by personal relationships.
The Universal Application of Justice
The Prophet's subsequent sermon draws direct parallels with previous nations' downfall, highlighting how selective application of justice corrodes societal foundations.
Scholars like Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explain that the mention of pre-Islamic nations serves as a grave warning against creating dual systems of justice for rich and poor.
The Ultimate Test: Fatima's Mention
The Prophet's declaration regarding his daughter Fatima represents the highest standard of impartial justice. Classical commentators emphasize this wasn't hypothetical but a definitive principle.
Imam al-Qurtubi notes that this statement eliminates any potential exception, establishing that in Islamic law, all individuals stand equal before divine ordinances regardless of social status or lineage.
Legal and Moral Implications
This hadith forms the foundation for Islamic criminal justice principles where socioeconomic status cannot influence application of hudud punishments.
Traditional scholars derive from this incident that intercession in divinely prescribed matters constitutes transgression, while the ruler's primary duty remains establishing justice without fear or favor.