"The hand of the thief is to be cut off for one-quarter of a Dinar or more."
Hadith Text & Context
"The hand of the thief is to be cut off for one-quarter of a Dinar or more." (Sunan an-Nasa'i 4919)
This hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i establishes the minimum threshold (nisab) for implementing the hadd punishment for theft, which is one-quarter of a Dinar according to the Prophetic tradition.
Value of One-Quarter Dinar
Classical scholars determined that one-quarter of a Dinar equals three Dirhams in silver value. Based on the standard weight of the Islamic Dinar (4.25 grams of gold), this threshold represents approximately 1.0625 grams of pure gold.
This amount was considered substantial property in the early Islamic community, ensuring the punishment was only applied for significant theft, not minor infractions.
Conditions for Implementation
Scholars stipulate numerous conditions that must be met before applying this punishment: the stolen property must reach the nisab, be taken from a secure location (hirz), be the thief's complete possession, and there must be clear evidence.
The property must also be of legitimate value and not include items like food during famine or items of disputed ownership, showing the Sharia's concern for justice and preventing excessive punishment.
Wisdom & Objectives
This legislation serves to protect society's wealth and ensure communal security. The specific threshold prevents arbitrary application and ensures proportionality between crime and punishment.
The severe punishment acts as a deterrent while the high minimum value reflects the Sharia's mercy, recognizing that poverty might drive minor theft, which requires rehabilitation rather than amputation.
Historical Application
Throughout Islamic history, this punishment was rarely applied due to the strict evidential requirements and numerous conditions that had to be met, reflecting the principle of averting hudud punishments when possible.
Jurists emphasized that doubt (shubha) of any kind prevents implementation, showing the Islamic legal system's preference for mercy over retribution when circumstances are unclear.