Abu Umayya al-Makhzumi told that a robber who had made acknowledgment was brought to the Prophet, but no goods were found with him. God’s Messenger said to him, “I do not think you have stolen.” He replied that he had and repeated it to him twice or thrice, making acknowledgment all the time, so he gave orders and his hand was cut off. He was then brought to him and God’s Messenger said to him, “Ask God’s pardon and turn to Him in repentance.” He said, “I ask God’s pardon and turn to Him in repentance.” God's Messenger then said three times, “O God, forgive him.”
Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it. Thus did I find it in the four texts quoted, in Jami' al-usul, Shu'ab al-iman, and Ma'alim as-sunan on the authority of Abu Umayya, but in the texts of al-Masabih it is given on the authority of Abu Rimtha.*
*This is the kind of misunderstanding which can easily arise owing to the similarity of امیۃ and رمثۃ if not carefully written.
‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “If anyone’s intercession intervenes as an obstacle to one of the punishments prescribed by God he has opposed God; if anyone disputes knowingly about something which is false he remains in the displeasure of God most high till he desists; and if anyone makes an untruthful accusation against a Muslim he will be made by God to dwell in the corrupt fluid flowing from the inhabitants of hell* till he retracts his statement.”
Ahmad and Abu Dawud transmitted it.
* Radghat al-khabal.
In a version by Baihaqi in Shu'ab al-iman it says, “He who assists in a dispute, not knowing whether it is true or false, will remain in God’s displeasure till he desists.”
Anas told that the Prophet gave a beating with palm branches and sandals for drinking wine and that Abu Bakr gave forty lashes.
(Bukhari and Muslim.) In a version on his authority it says that the Prophet used to give forty stripes with palm branches and sandals for drinking wine.
‘A'isha said Quraish were anxious about the Makhzumi woman who had committed theft and asked, “Who will speak to God’s Messenger about her?” Then they said, “Who will be bold enough for it but Usama b. Zaid, God’s Messenger’s friend?” So Usama spoke to him and God’s Messenger said, “Are you interceding regarding one of the punishments prescribed by God?” He then got up and gave an address, saying, “What destroyed your predecessors was just that when a person of rank among them committed a theft they left him alone, but when a weak one of their number committed a theft they inflicted the prescribed punishment on him. I swear by God that if Fatima daughter of Muhammad should steal I would have her hand cut off.”
(Bukhari and Muslim). In a version by Muslim she said that a Makhzumi woman used to borrow goods and deny having received them, so the Prophet gave orders that her hand should be cut off. Her family went and spoke to Usama and he spoke about her to God's Messenger. Then he mentioned the tradition in similar form to what has preceded.
