'A woman who was honoured amongst her people was once brought to the Prophet (SAWA) charged with theft. He ordered her [hand] to be cut. A group from the tribe of Quraysh came to the Prophet (SAWA) and said, ?O Messenger of Allah! Must [the hand of] a noble lady such as her be cut like that of so and so for such a small mistake?!' He replied, 'Yes! Indeed those before you perished because of such a deed. People used to uphold the Punishments for the weak ones among them and exempt the strong and the noble ones of them, and therefore they perished.?