The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا لَيْثٌ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رُمْحٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنَ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ قُرَيْشًا، أَهَمَّهُمْ شَأْنُ الْمَرْأَةِ الْمَخْزُومِيَّةِ الَّتِي سَرَقَتْ فَقَالُوا مَنْ يُكَلِّمُ فِيهَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالُوا وَمَنْ يَجْتَرِئُ عَلَيْهِ إِلاَّ أُسَامَةُ حِبُّ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم . فَكَلَّمَهُ أُسَامَةُ . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَتَشْفَعُ فِي حَدٍّ مِنْ حُدُودِ اللَّهِ " . ثُمَّ قَامَ فَاخْتَطَبَ فَقَالَ " أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّمَا أَهْلَكَ الَّذِينَ قَبْلَكُمْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا إِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الشَّرِيفُ تَرَكُوهُ وَإِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الضَّعِيفُ أَقَامُوا عَلَيْهِ الْحَدَّ وَايْمُ اللَّهِ لَوْ أَنَّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ مُحَمَّدٍ سَرَقَتْ لَقَطَعْتُ يَدَهَا " . وَفِي حَدِيثِ ابْنِ رُمْحٍ " إِنَّمَا هَلَكَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ " .
Who will speak to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) about her? They said: Who dare it, but Usama, the loved one of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)? So Usama spoke to him. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Do you intercede regarding one of the punishments prescribed by Allah? He then stood up and addressed (people) saying: O people, those who have gone before you were destroyed, because if any one of high rank committed theft amongst them, they spared him; and it anyone of low rank committed theft, they inflicted the prescribed punishment upon him. By Allah, if Fatima, daughter of Muhammad, were to steal, I would have her hand cut off. In the hadith transmitted on the authority of Ibn Rumh (the words are):" Verily those before you perished."
Narrated by 'A'isha reported that the Quraish had been anxious about the Makhzumi woman who had committed theft, and said:
Context
In this hadith, 'A'isha recounts an incident where the Quraysh were concerned about a woman from a noble family who committed theft. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) addresses the issue of justice, emphasizing that no one is above the law, regardless of their social status. This highlights the importance of equality in the application of justice.
Modern Application
This principle resonates today as it calls for fairness and equality in legal matters and social justice. It encourages individuals to advocate for just treatment of all, regardless of their background, thus promoting a more equitable society.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Justice and Punishments (Hudud) because it illustrates the necessity of applying justice uniformly, without favoritism, in matters of law.
[As for] the thief, the male and the female, amputate their hands in recompense for what they committed as a deterrent [punishment] from Allah. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.
Certainly has Allah heard the speech of the one who argues with you, [O Muhammad], concerning her husband and directs her complaint to Allah. And Allah hears your dialogue; indeed, Allah is Hearing and Seeing.
O Prophet, when the believing women come to you pledging to you that they will not associate anything with Allah, nor will they steal, nor will they commit unlawful sexual intercourse, nor will they kill their children, nor will they bring forth a slander they have invented between their arms and legs, nor will they disobey you in what is right - then accept their pledge and ask forgiveness for them of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
O wives of the Prophet, whoever of you should commit a clear immorality - for her the punishment would be doubled two fold, and ever is that, for Allah, easy.
And what Allah restored to His Messenger from the people of the towns - it is for Allah and for the Messenger and for [his] near relatives and orphans and the [stranded] traveler - so that it will not be a perpetual distribution among the rich from among you. And whatever the Messenger has given you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.
This hadith is #4280 from Sahih Muslim, in the Book of The Book of Legal Punishments. It is graded Sahih and narrated by 'A'isha reported that the Quraish had been anxious about the Makhzumi woman who had committed theft, and said:.