Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
13. Victory and after
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Makkah, and died a natural death in a faraway
land.
In the wake of the Conquest of Makkah, how was it
that the Prophet forgave people who were guilty in
the sight of God? When a woman named Fatimah
belonging to the Banu Makhzum tribe, had
committed a theft, her kith and kin feared that her
hand would be amputated. They approached
Usamah ibn Zayd who, they thought, being a close
associate of the Prophet, would be in a position to
ensure that their relative escaped punishment.
Usamah came to the Prophet and pleaded for
clemency on behalf of Fatimah Makhzumi. The
Prophet was visibly upset when he heard Usamah’s
words. “Are you trying to persuade me with regard
to limits that God has set down?” he asked. The
Prophet then called people together and, delivered
an address. “By the power who has control over my
soul,” he said, “if my daughter Fatimah were to
steal, then I would certainly amputate her hand.”
Fatimah Makhzumi received her due punishment,
after which she repented and became a righteous,
upright person.
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