'A'isha reported that a woman from the tribe of Makhzum used to borrow things (from people) and then denied (having taken them). Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) commanded her hand to be cut off. Her relatives came to Usama b. Zaid and spoke to him (requesting him to intercede on her behalf). He spoke to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) about her. The rest of the hadith is the same.
The Book of Legal Punishments - Sahih Muslim 1688 c
This narration from the Mother of the Believers, 'A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her), concerns a woman from the noble tribe of Makhzum who committed theft and then falsely denied her crime. The Prophet (ﷺ) rightfully commanded the implementation of the divinely prescribed punishment (hadd) by cutting off her hand.
Scholarly Commentary on the Ruling
This hadith establishes several critical legal principles. Firstly, it affirms that the legal punishment for theft is applicable regardless of the social status or tribal lineage of the perpetrator. The woman was from a prestigious tribe, demonstrating that Islamic law is applied with absolute justice and impartiality.
Secondly, the act of denying the borrowed items after taking them constitutes theft (sariqah), as she was entrusted with them and then usurped the property rights of the owner through her false denial, thus meeting the conditions for the hadd punishment.
The Intercession and its Rejection
The attempt at intercession by Usama ibn Zaid, a beloved companion, highlights a profound lesson. The Prophet's (ﷺ) stern response, "Do you seek to intercede concerning one of the punishments prescribed by Allah?", clarifies that the divinely ordained Hudud are not subject to personal influence, mediation, or cancellation. They are a right of Allah, established to protect society and deter crime.
This incident serves as an eternal warning against suspending the legal punishments for people of status or influence, thereby ensuring that the rule of law remains supreme and societal security is preserved.