Hadith Text & Reference

"Cutting off (the hand of the thief) is for one-quarter of a Dinar or more."

Source: Sunan an-Nasa'i 4926 | The Book of Cutting off the Hand of the Thief

Legal Threshold Explanation

This hadith establishes the minimum value (nisab) for theft that warrants hand amputation as one-quarter of a gold dinar. Classical scholars determined this equivalent to three silver dirhams, establishing a substantial threshold to prevent excessive punishment for minor theft.

Scholarly Commentary

Imam an-Nawawi explains this value was significant in that era, representing approximately the price of a shield. Scholars emphasize this punishment only applies when all strict conditions are met: proper custody, complete theft, reaching the nisab, and absence of doubtful circumstances.

Maliki scholars noted this amount protects society from serious theft while showing mercy for petty crimes. The fixed value ensures consistent application of the law across different times and places when converted to contemporary currency equivalents.

Contemporary Application

Modern scholars calculate one-quarter dinar's equivalent value in current currency, maintaining the principle that this punishment is reserved for substantial theft. Many emphasize that numerous conditions must be verified by Islamic courts before implementation, making actual application extremely rare in proper Islamic jurisprudence.