Chapter: The Prohibition of Interceding in the Prescribed Penal Limits (hudud)

Allah the Exalted says: “The adulteress and the adulterer—flog each of them with a hundred lashes, and let no compassion for them keep you from implementing Allah’s religion, if you truly believe in Allah and the Last Day.”

1770 – ʿĀ’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) related: The Quraysh were deeply troubled about the case of a woman of the Makhzūm clan who had stolen. They said, “Who will speak to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about her?” They added, “None dares approach him except Usāmah ibn Zayd, the beloved of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.” So Usāmah spoke to him, whereupon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Are you seeking intercession regarding one of Allah’s prescribed limits?” Then he rose and addressed the people, saying, “Those who came before you were ruined because when a noble person among them stole, they let him go, but when a weak person stole, they carried out the punishment on him. By Allah, were Fāṭimah bint Muḥammad to steal, I would cut off her hand.” Agreed upon.

In another wording: The face of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ changed color and he said, “Are you seeking intercession regarding one of Allah’s prescribed limits?” Usāmah replied, “Seek forgiveness for me, O Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet ﷺ then ordered that the woman be punished, and her hand was cut off.