"Who would dare to do that except Usamah bin Zaid, the beloved of the Messenger of Allah?" so Usamah spoke to him and the Messenger of Allah said: "Are you interceding concerning one of the Hadd punishments decreed by Allah?" Then he stood up and addressed (the people) and said: "Those who came before you were destroyed because, whenever a noble person among them stole, they would let him go. But if a person who was weak stole, they would carry out the punishment on him. By Allah, if Fatimah the daughter of Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hnad."
The Book of Cutting off the Hand of the Thief
Sunan an-Nasa'i 4899 - Commentary by Classical Scholars
Context and Background
This profound narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i addresses a critical incident where intercession was attempted for a theft case involving a noblewoman from the Makhzum tribe.
The companions' remark "Who would dare to do that except Usamah bin Zaid" indicates his special status as the beloved of Allah's Messenger, yet even this privileged position did not exempt him from receiving this stern rebuke when attempting to intercede in Allah's prescribed punishments.
Scholarly Commentary on the Prohibition of Intercession
The Prophet's rhetorical question "Are you interceding concerning one of the Hadd punishments decreed by Allah?" establishes the fundamental principle that Allah's prescribed legal punishments (Hudud) are divine rights that cannot be compromised through human intercession.
Classical scholars emphasize that Hudud punishments serve as both individual purification and societal protection. Interfering with them undermines their deterrent effect and compromises divine justice.
Historical Warning and Universal Application
The Prophet's reference to previous nations being destroyed due to selective application of justice serves as a grave warning. Scholars explain that when justice becomes relative to social status, it leads to societal corruption and divine wrath.
The declaration concerning his daughter Fatimah demonstrates the absolute equality before Islamic law. Classical commentators note that this establishes the principle that no individual, regardless of lineage or status, is above Allah's law.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
Scholars from the four schools of jurisprudence derive from this hadith that Hudud punishments must be applied uniformly, without consideration of social status, wealth, or family connections.
The spiritual dimension emphasized by classical commentators is that this strict adherence to divine law preserves societal trust, maintains divine balance, and prevents the corruption that doomed previous civilizations.