The Book of Cutting off the Hand of the Thief

Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah said, “A person committing adultery is not a believer at the moment of the act; a thief is not a believer while stealing; a person drinking wine is not a believer while drinking it; and a person taking a conspicuous amount of plunder is not a believer while people are watching.”

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet said, “A person committing adultery is not a believer at that moment; a thief is not a believer while stealing; and a person drinking wine is not a believer while drinking it. Afterward, repentance remains available.”

Abu Hurairah said, “A person committing adultery is not a believer at that moment; a thief is not a believer while stealing; and a person drinking wine is not a believer while drinking it.” He mentioned a fourth act but forgot it. He added, “When someone does this, the bond of Islam is cast off from his neck; but if he repents, Allah accepts his repentance.”

Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah said, “Allah curses the thief who steals an egg and has his hand cut off, and who steals a rope and has his hand cut off.”

An-Numan ibn Bashir reported that a group from the Kalaiyyin complained to him that some people had stolen goods. He detained them for several days, then released them. The complainants came and said, “You released them without testing them or beating them.” An-Numan said, “As you wish: if you want, I will beat them. If Allah brings your goods back through that, so be it; otherwise I will take from your backs an equal amount.” They said, “Is that your judgment?” He replied, “This is the judgment of Allah, Mighty and Sublime, and His Messenger.”

Bahz ibn Hakim reported from his father and grandfather that the Messenger of Allah detained some people on suspicion.

Bahz ibn Hakim reported from his father and grandfather that the Messenger of Allah detained a man on suspicion, then released him.

Abu Umayyah al-Makhzumi reported that a thief who had confessed, but with no stolen goods found in his possession, was brought to the Messenger of Allah. The Messenger of Allah said, “I do not think you stole.” The man replied, “Indeed, I did.” He said, “Take him and cut off his hand, then bring him back.” They did so. He told the man, “Say: I seek Allah forgiveness and repent to Him.” The man said it, and the Prophet said, “O Allah, accept his repentance.”

Safwan ibn Umayyah reported that a man stole one of his striped cloaks and he brought him to the Prophet, who ordered that his hand be cut off. Safwan said, “Messenger of Allah, I have pardoned him.” The Prophet said, “Abu Wahb, why did you not do that before bringing him to us?” Then the Messenger of Allah had the man hand cut off.

Safwan ibn Umayyah reported that a man stole his striped cloak, so he brought him to the Prophet, who ordered that his hand be cut off. Safwan said, “Messenger of Allah, I have pardoned him.” The Prophet said, “Abu Wahb, why did you not do that before bringing him to me?” Then the Messenger of Allah had the man hand cut off.

Ata ibn Abi Rabah reported that a man stole a garment and was brought to the Messenger of Allah, who ordered that his hand be cut off. The man said, “Messenger of Allah, it is his.” The Prophet said, “Why did you not say so before now?”

Safwan ibn Umayyah reported that he circumambulated the Kaaba and prayed, then folded his striped cloak and put it under his head to sleep. A thief pulled it out from under his head and took it. Safwan brought the man to the Prophet and said, “This man stole my cloak.” The Prophet asked the man if he had stolen it, and he admitted it. The Prophet ordered that his hand be cut off. Safwan said, “I did not want his hand cut off over my cloak.” The Prophet said, “Why did you not say that before?”

Ibn Abbas reported that Safwan was sleeping in the mosque with his cloak beneath him when it was stolen. He got up, caught the man as he was leaving, and brought him to the Prophet, who ordered that his hand be cut off. Safwan said, “Messenger of Allah, my cloak is not worth cutting off a man hand.” The Prophet said, “Why did you not say that before bringing him to us?” An-Nasai noted that Ashath is weak.

Safwan ibn Umayyah reported: I was sleeping in the mosque on a striped cloak worth thirty dirhams when a man came and stole it. The man was caught and brought to the Prophet, who ordered that his hand be cut off. I came to him and said, “Will you cut off his hand for thirty dirhams? I will sell it to him on credit.” He said, “Why did you not say that before bringing him to me?”

Safwan ibn Umayyah reported that a striped cloak was stolen from under his head while he slept in the Prophet mosque. He caught the thief and brought him to the Prophet, who ordered that his hand be cut off. Safwan said, “Will you cut off his hand?” The Prophet said, “Why did you not let him go before bringing him to me?”

Amr ibn Shuayb reported from his father and grandfather that the Prophet said, “Overlook offenses that warrant prescribed punishments before you bring them to me. Once a prescribed offense is brought to me, its punishment becomes binding.”

Abdullah ibn Amr reported that the Messenger of Allah said, “Overlook prescribed offenses among yourselves. Once a prescribed offense reaches me, its punishment becomes binding.”

Ibn Umar reported that a woman from Banu Makhzum used to borrow property and then deny having borrowed it. The Prophet ordered that her hand be cut off.

Ibn Umar reported that a woman from Banu Makhzum used to borrow property on behalf of her neighbors and then deny having borrowed it. The Messenger of Allah ordered that her hand be cut off.