The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
قَالَ الْحَارِثُ بْنُ مِسْكِينٍ قِرَاءَةً عَلَيْهِ وَأَنَا أَسْمَعُ، عَنِ ابْنِ وَهْبٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، أَنَّ عُرْوَةَ بْنَ الزُّبَيْرِ، أَخْبَرَهُ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ امْرَأَةً، سَرَقَتْ فِي عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي غَزْوَةِ الْفَتْحِ فَأُتِيَ بِهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَكَلَّمَهُ فِيهَا أُسَامَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ فَلَمَّا كَلَّمَهُ تَلَوَّنَ وَجْهُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَتَشْفَعُ فِي حَدٍّ مِنْ حُدُودِ اللَّهِ " . فَقَالَ لَهُ أُسَامَةُ اسْتَغْفِرْ لِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . فَلَمَّا كَانَ الْعَشِيُّ قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَثْنَى عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ " أَمَّا بَعْدُ إِنَّمَا هَلَكَ النَّاسُ قَبْلَكُمْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا إِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الشَّرِيفُ تَرَكُوهُ وَإِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الضَّعِيفُ أَقَامُوا عَلَيْهِ الْحَدَّ " . ثُمَّ قَالَ " وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَوْ أَنَّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ مُحَمَّدٍ سَرَقَتْ قَطَعْتُ يَدَهَا " .
a woman stole at the time of the Messenger of Allah, during the Conquest, and she was brought to the Messenger of Allah. Usamah bin Zaid spoke to him concerning her. But when he spoke to him, the face of the Messenger of Allah changed color, and the Messenger of Allah said: "Are you interceding concerning one of the Hadd punishment decreed by Allah?" Isa,aj said to him: "O Messenger of Allah ask Allah to forgive me!" When evening came, the Messenger of Allah stood up and 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 would let him go. But if one who was weak stole, they would carry out the Hadd punishment on him." Then he said: "By the One in whose hand is my soul, if Fatimah bint Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand."
Narrated by It was narrated from 'Aishah that:
Context
This hadith recounts an incident during the Conquest of Makkah where a woman was brought before the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ after committing theft. Usamah bin Zaid interceded on her behalf, prompting a visible change in the Prophet's ﷺ demeanor. He emphasized the importance of justice, stating that societal collapse occurs when the powerful are exempt from punishment while the weak are not. He firmly declared that even if his own daughter Fatimah were to steal, he would enforce the punishment.
Modern Application
In today's society, this hadith underscores the importance of equitable justice, reminding us that laws should apply equally to all individuals, regardless of their status. It encourages communities to uphold fairness and accountability in their legal systems, ensuring that everyone is treated justly.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Divine Justice and Punishments (Hudud) because it highlights the necessity of impartiality in enforcing laws and the consequences of failing to do so.
[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.
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 We did not send any messenger except to be obeyed by permission of Allah. And if, when they wronged themselves, they had come to you, [O Muhammad], and asked forgiveness of Allah and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah Accepting of repentance 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 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 #4912 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Cutting off the Hand of the Thief and narrated by It was narrated from 'Aishah that:.