The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
أَخْبَرَنَا عِمْرَانُ بْنُ بَكَّارٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا بِشْرُ بْنُ شُعَيْبٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَبِي، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتِ اسْتَعَارَتِ امْرَأَةٌ عَلَى أَلْسِنَةِ أُنَاسٍ يُعْرَفُونَ - وَهِيَ لاَ تُعْرَفُ - حُلِيًّا فَبَاعَتْهُ وَأَخَذَتْ ثَمَنَهُ فَأُتِيَ بِهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَسَعَى أَهْلُهَا إِلَى أُسَامَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ فَكَلَّمَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِيهَا فَتَلَوَّنَ وَجْهُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ يُكَلِّمُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَتَشْفَعُ إِلَىَّ فِي حَدٍّ مِنْ حُدُودِ اللَّهِ " . فَقَالَ أُسَامَةُ اسْتَغْفِرْ لِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . ثُمَّ قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَشِيَّتَئِذٍ فَأَثْنَى عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ " أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّمَا هَلَكَ النَّاسُ قَبْلَكُمْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا إِذَا سَرَقَ الشَّرِيفُ فِيهِمْ تَرَكُوهُ وَإِذَا سَرَقَ الضَّعِيفُ فِيهِمْ أَقَامُوا عَلَيْهِ الْحَدَّ وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ لَوْ أَنَّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ مُحَمَّدٍ سَرَقَتْ لَقَطَعْتُ يَدَهَا " . ثُمَّ قَطَعَ تِلْكَ الْمَرْأَةَ .
"A woman borrowed some jewelry, saying that other people whose names were known but hers was not then she sold it and kept the money. She was brought to the Messenger of Allah, and her people went to Usamah bin Zaid, who spoke to the Messenger of Allah concerning her. The face of ht Messenger of Allah changed color while he was speaking to him. Then the Messenger of Allah said to him: 'Are you interceding with me concerning one of ht Hadd punishments decreed by Allah?' Usamah said: 'Pray for forgiveness for me, O Messenger of Allah! Then the Messenger of Allah stood up that evening, he praised and glorified Allah, the mighty and sublime, as he deserves, then he said: 'The people who came before you were destroyed because, whenever a noble person among them stole, they let him go. But if a low-class person stole, they would carry out the punishment on him. By the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, if Fatimah bint Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand.' Then he cut off that woman."
Narrated by It was narrated that 'Aishah said:
Context
In this hadith, narrated by 'Aishah, a woman borrowed jewelry and sold it for profit, which led to her being brought before the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Usamah bin Zaid interceded on her behalf, prompting the Prophet's stern response about divine justice and the importance of upholding the law equally, regardless of social status. The Prophet emphasized that even if a noble person were to commit theft, the punishment would still apply, illustrating the seriousness of justice in Islam.
Modern Application
This hadith highlights the principle of equality before the law, which is essential in today's society. It serves as a reminder that justice should be applied fairly, without favoritism based on social status or wealth. Upholding this principle can foster trust and integrity within communities.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Divine Justice and Punishments (Hudud) because it emphasizes the necessity of applying legal punishments equally, regardless of an individual's social standing.
[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.
Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive upon earth [to cause] corruption is none but that they be killed or crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides or that they be exiled from the land. That is for them a disgrace in this world; and for them in the Hereafter is a great punishment,
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.
And [remember, O Muhammad], when you said to the one on whom Allah bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, "Keep your wife and fear Allah," while you concealed within yourself that which Allah is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allah has more right that you fear Him. So when Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you in order that there not be upon the believers any discomfort concerning the wives of their adopted sons when they no longer have need of them. And ever is the command of Allah accomplished.
And they both raced to the door, and she tore his shirt from the back, and they found her husband at the door. She said, "What is the recompense of one who intended evil for your wife but that he be imprisoned or a painful punishment?"
This hadith is #4908 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Cutting off the Hand of the Thief. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated that 'Aishah said:.