The author next cites the ḥadith of ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her) about a woman from Banū Makhzūm who had committed theft. The report clarifies that her “theft” lay in borrowing people’s belongings and then denying them: she would come to someone and say, “Lend me the pot, lend me the bucket,” and out of kindness they would comply, whereupon she would later repudiate the loan, claiming, “You never lent me anything.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ deemed this repudiation of a loan equivalent to theft, for a thief enters houses stealthily and takes property, and this woman likewise appropriated people’s wealth in secret—taking it on the pretext of a loan, an act of benevolence on the owners’ part—then disavowing it. The Prophet ﷺ therefore ordered that her hand be cut off.

She belonged to Banū Makhzūm, one of the noblest clans of Quraysh, and the matter weighed heavily on them—how could the hand of a Makhzūmite woman be severed? They sought someone who would dare intercede with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, saying, “No one will venture to speak to him except Usāmah ibn Zayd.” They did not mention Abū Bakr, ʿUmar, ʿUthmān, nor anyone of higher standing than Usāmah ibn Zayd; either they had already tried and failed, or they knew from the outset that such men would never intercede concerning one of Allah’s prescribed limits.

Accordingly they appealed to Usāmah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him)—and Usāmah was the son of Zayd ibn Ḥārithah, formerly a slave whom Khadījah had given to the Prophet ﷺ; the Prophet freed him, loved him, and likewise loved his son Usāmah. Usāmah spoke with the Prophet ﷺ on the woman’s behalf, hoping he might waive the amputation. The complexion of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ changed, and he said in stern reproach, “Are you interceding concerning one of Allah’s limits?”—meaning it was not appropriate for him to seek intercession in a matter governed by one of Allah’s prescribed punishments.