Does this hadeeth contradict the principle of equality and justice in Islam?
Question

                How sound is the following hadeeth, which was narrated by Abu Dawood and others: “Forgive the people of good character for their mistakes”? I have read that some people are not sure about it because it contradicts the Qur’aan and its verses which call for equality and justice.
Praise be to Allah.
    This hadeeth was narrated by Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawood, 
    al-Nasaa’i, al-Bayhaqi and others from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with 
    her), who said that the Prophet  (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon 
    him) said: “Forgive the people of good character for their mistakes, except 
    in cases of hadd punishments.” 

    It has other isnaads which are not free of faults, but when 
    taken together render the hadeeth hasan.  

    What is meant by the hadeeth is that it is recommended not to 
    take people of good character to task if they slip up or make mistakes which 
    are out of character, except in cases where a hadd punishment is required 
    and news of the sin reaches the ruler, in which case the hadd punishment 
    must be carried out. 
What is meant by “people 
    of good character” is ordinary people who possess an honourable attitude and 
    other praiseworthy characteristics, those who are always obedient and are 
    known for their good character, but who may slip sometimes and commit sins. 
    This meaning was narrated by Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) 
    who said: The Prophet  (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did 
    not call the pious who worship a great deal “people of good character” and 
    this phrase is not used in the words of Allaah or His Messenger to describe 
    the obedient and pious. It seems that it refers to those who are respected 
    among the people for their status and high position. Allaah has singled them 
    out for a kind of honour above others of their kind, meaning that if a 
    person is modest and of good character, but then he slips up and the 
    Shaytaan overpowers him briefly (and makes him do something out of 
    character), we should not hasten to rebuke him and punish him, rather his 
    mistake should be forgiven, provided that it does not involve transgressing 
    one of the sacred limits of Allaah (for which a hadd punishment is 
    required), because the hadd punishment must be carried out regardless of 
    whether the one who deserves it is regarded as honourable or ignoble. The 
    Prophet  (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Those who 
    came before you were destroyed because if a nobleman among them stole they 
    would let him off, but if a weak and insignificant person stole they would 
    carry out the punishment on him. By Allaah, if Faatimah the daughter of 
    Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand.” Saheeh – agreed upon. 
    This highlights one of the wonderful aspects of this perfect sharee’ah.

     End quote. 

    From the above it may be understood that the meaning of this 
    hadeeth does not contradict the principle of equality and justice in Islam, 
    rather it encourages overlooking sins and mistakes that are not subject to 
    hadd punishments if they are committed by people who do not ordinarily do 
    such things, and if not imposing a ta’zeer punishment will not lead to 
    further trouble.