An Islamic Treasury of Virtues
13. Justice
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13. JUSTICE
PARITY BEFORE THE LAW
A woman by the name of Fatimah, belonging to the
Banu Makhzum tribe, once committed a theft. Her
kinsfolk, fearing that her hand would be
amputated, sent Usamah ibn Zayd to intercede with
the Prophet on her behalf. When the Prophet had
heard their case, signs of anger appeared on his
face. “Are you trying to sway me as to the limits
laid down by God?” he asked. Usama ibn Zayd
immediately admitted his mistake and begged the
Prophet to pray on his behalf for forgiveness. The
Prophet then preached a sermon to those assembled
there, in which he said: “Communities of old came
to grief because of the leniency shown to those in
high positions when they committed a theft, which
was in contrast to the punishment meted out to any
thief of humble origin. By the one who has control
over my soul, if my own daughter Fatimah were to
steal, I would have her hand cut off!”
(AL-BUKHARI, MUSLIM)
