46/6. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4896 — Serious Judgment
Mentioning the Different Wordings Reported by Az-Zuhri about the Makhzumi Woman who Stole
Hadith About Serious Theft Judgment and Fair Law
Sunan an-Nasai : 4896
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4896
أَخْبَرَنَا رِزْقُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُوسَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ بْنِ مُوسَى، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ أُتِيَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِسَارِقٍ فَقَطَعَهُ قَالُوا مَا كُنَّا نُرِيدُ أَنْ يَبْلُغَ مِنْهُ هَذَا . قَالَ " لَوْ كَانَتْ فَاطِمَةَ لَقَطَعْتُهَا " .
A'isha Narrated from:
A thief was brought to the hand. They said: "We did not think that you would take it so far." He said: "If it were Fatimah (who stole), I would cut off her hand."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4896In-book reference : Book 46, Hadith 27English translation : Vol. 5, Book 46, Hadith 4900
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4896
This hadith is brief but strong. A thief was brought, and the punishment was carried out. Some people then said that they did not think the matter would go that far. The Prophet answered that if it were Fatimah who stole, he would cut off her hand. The core topic is equal justice in a theft case. The text shows that people may feel shock when a serious ruling is carried out, but the Prophet's answer points to fairness and firmness. He did not make the ruling lighter because people felt regret afterward. For searchers looking for the famous Fatimah theft hadith, this wording is a short form of that message.
What we learn from this hadith
- People's later surprise did not change the seriousness of the case.
- The Prophet answered with a clear statement of equal accountability.
- The narration warns against underestimating a theft case after it reaches judgment.
- Justice is not shown as something reserved only for unknown or weak people.
