Allah Almighty says: {As for the woman and the man who commit fornication; flog each of them a hundred lashes. Do not let pity for them make you lenient concerning the law of Allah, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day.} [Surat an-Nūr: 2]
1770/1 - ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: “The Quraysh were much worried about the case of a Makhzūmiyyah woman who had committed theft and wondered who should intercede for her with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). Some said: ‘Usāmah ibn Zayd is his beloved one, and so he may dare do so.’ Usāmah spoke to him about that matter, and the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: ‘Do you intercede regarding one of the legal punishments ordained by Allah?’ Then, he got up and addressed the people, saying: ‘Indeed, the people before you were ruined because when a noble person amongst them committed theft, they would leave him, but if a weak person amongst them committed theft, they would execute the legal punishment on him. By Allah, were Fātimah, the daughter of Muhammad, to commit theft, I would cut off her hand.’” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
Another narration reads: “The color of the Prophet’s face changed and he said: ‘Would you intercede regarding one of the punishments prescribed by Allah?’ Usāmah said: ‘Ask forgiveness for me, O Messenger of Allah.’ Then, he ordered that this woman’s hand be cut off.”
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He may dare do so: No one would have the bravery to talk to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), who was held in great awe, regarding such a thing but Usāmah (may Allah be pleased with him).
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The legal punishments are the penalties laid down by Allah and His Messenger against the perpetrators of certain sins.
1) Intercession over legal punishments after the case is submitted to the ruler is prohibited.
2) It points out that noble and lowly people and the rich and the poor are equal when it comes to the Shariah rulings and punishments. They should be applied to anyone without considering his status or family. Indeed, this is a sign of the strength of this Ummah and one of the reasons behind its success and victory.
3) We should derive lessons from what happened to the past nations, which had abandoned the way of Allah and so He made them taste the punishment in this world and in the Hereafter. {So take a lesson, O you people of insight.}