'A'isha reported that during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) the hand of the thief was not cut off for less than the price of a shield, iron coat or armour and both of them are valuable.
The Book of Legal Punishments
Sahih Muslim 1685 a - Commentary by Classical Scholar
Hadith Text
'A'isha reported that during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) the hand of the thief was not cut off for less than the price of a shield, iron coat or armour and both of them are valuable.
Scholarly Commentary
This hadith establishes the minimum threshold (nisab) for the implementation of the punishment for theft. The scholars have determined that the value mentioned - equivalent to a shield or armor - represents what was known in that era as one-quarter of a dinar. In contemporary terms, this translates to approximately 2.975 grams of pure gold.
The wisdom behind setting this minimum value demonstrates the mercy of Islamic law, ensuring that minor thefts do not incur the severe punishment of hand amputation. This threshold protects society from petty crimes while reserving the harsher punishment for significant theft that truly threatens communal security and property rights.
Furthermore, the specification of military equipment (shield and armor) indicates that the stolen item must be of substantial worth and utility, not mere trifles. This reflects the comprehensive nature of Islamic jurisprudence where punishments are proportionate to crimes and consider the broader context and circumstances.
Legal Implications
The hand is not to be amputated for theft below this specified value, regardless of the item stolen.
The value must be calculated based on pure gold equivalent, not fluctuating currency values.
This ruling applies only to theft from a secure location (hiraz) and excludes items of minor value or necessities taken out of need.