Stories from Early Islam — Page 129
Equal Justice Once a woman of a very respectable Quraish family com mitted a theft and was sentenced to undergo the prescribed punish- ment. Some of the Companions of the Holy Prophet saw were much concerned that the carrying out of the sentence would disgrace the family of the culprit. They were there fore anxious that someone should intercede with the Holy Prophet saw on behalf of the woman and procure her pardon. They decided to ask Usaamah bin Zaid, who was greatly loved by the Holy Prophet saw to intercede on behalf of the woman. Usaamah went to the Holy Prophet saw and made his sub - mission as he had been requested. The Holy Prophet saw was much upset. He admonished Usaamah, ‘Have you come to intercede in the matter of the infliction of a prescribed penalty?