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JUSTICE FOR RICH AND POOR ALIKE

655

“The Koraysh were worried about the situation of a Makhzumi woman who had been guilty of theft and wondered who they should ask to intercede for her with the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him. Some suggested that Osama the son of Zaid was the most suitable because the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, loved him very much. So Osama spoke to him. The Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, asked him: ‘Do you seek to intercede in a matter concerning that which has been prescribed by Allah?’ Then the Messenger of Allah, praise and peace be upon him, stood up and addressed those present saying: ‘Those who went before you were ruined because they would let some one of high rank off after they committed theft but exacted the prescribed punishment on a poor person who had stolen. I call Allah to witness that if Fatima daughter of Muhammad, praise and peace be upon him, were to steal, I would cut off her hand.’"

Bukhari and Muslim with a chain up to the Mother of Believers, Lady Ayesha the wife of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with her, related this hadith.

JUSTICE