Ibn ‘Umar said the Prophet had a thief’s hand cut off for a shield worth three dirhams. (Bukhari and Muslim.)
Textual Analysis
The hadith establishes the minimum threshold (nisab) for theft requiring hand amputation as property valued at three dirhams, equivalent to one-quarter dinar in classical Islamic jurisprudence.
The shield mentioned represents movable property (manqul) of substantial value, not trivial items, indicating the seriousness of protected property in Islamic law.
Legal Conditions for Application
Scholars stipulate multiple conditions must be met before implementing this punishment: the thief must be adult, sane, the property must be stolen from secure custody (hirz), and the theft must be proven through confession or the testimony of two qualified witnesses.
The property must reach the nisab value and be of a type protected under Islamic law, excluding items like musical instruments or intoxicants.
Wisdom and Objectives
This punishment serves as a severe deterrent (zajar) protecting societal wealth and security while demonstrating the sanctity of property rights in Islam.
The specified value threshold ensures proportionality between crime and punishment, preventing excessive application for minor offenses.
Historical Context and Implementation
During the Prophet's time, three dirhams represented significant value - sufficient to purchase basic armor, making this a serious economic crime.
Classical scholars note the rarity of actual implementation due to stringent evidential requirements, reflecting Islam's emphasis on making legal punishments difficult to implement rather than easy.