The Book of Cutting off the Hand of the Thief

كتاب قطع السارق

Chapter 5: Stealing Something that Is Kept In A Protected Place

It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, that

a woman used, to borrow jewelry from people then keep it. The Messenger of Allah said: "Let this woman repent to Allah and His Messenger and give back to people what she has taken." Then the Messenge of Allah said "Get up, O Bilal, take her hand and cut it off."

It was narrated from Nafi that

a woman used to borrow jewelry during the time of the Messenger of Allah. She borrowed some jewelry, collected it and kept it. The Messenger of Allah said: "Let this woman repent and give back what she has," several times, but she did not do that, so he ordered that her hand be cut off.

It was narrated from Jabir that

a woman from Banu Makhzum stole (something), and she was brought to the Prophet. She sought the protection of Umm Salamah, but the Prophet said: "If Fatimah bint Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand." And he ordered that her hand be cut off.

It was narrated from Saeed bin AL-Musayyab that

a woman from Banu Makhzum borrowed some jewelry, asking on behalf of others, then she denied (having done) that, and the Prophet ordered that her hand be cut off.

It was narrated from Dawud bin Abi Asim that

Saeed bin Al-Musayyb narrated something similar to that.

Chapter 6: Mentioning the Different Wordings Reported by Az-Zuhri about the Makhzumi Woman who Stole

Sufyan said

"There was a Makhzumi woman who used to borrow things then deny that. She was brought to the Messenger of Allah and he was told about her. He said: 'If it were Fatimah (who stole), I would cut off her hand."' It was said to Sufyan: "Who told you that?" He said: "Ayyub bin Musa, from Az-Zuhri, from 'Urwah, from 'Aishah, if Allah the mighty and Sublime, wills."

It was narrated from `A'ishah that

A woman stole (something) and she was brought to the Prophet. They said: "Who would dare to speak to the Messenger of Allah except Usamah." So they spoke to Usamah and he spoke to (the Prophet). The Prophet said: "O Usamah, the Children of Israel were destroyed because whenever a noble person among them committed a crime, for which a Hadd punishment was deserved, they would let him go. But if a low-class person among them committed such a crime, they would carry out the punishment on him. If Fatimah bint Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand."

It was narrated that 'Aishah said

"A thief was brought to the hand." They said: "We did not think that you would take it so far." He said: "If it were Fatimah (who stole), I would cut off her hand."

It was narrated from 'Aishah that

a woman stole at the time of Messenger of Allah and they said: "We cannot speak to him concerning her; there is no one who can speak to him except his beloved, Usamah." So he spoke to him, and he said"O Usamah, the Children of Israel were destroyed for such a thing. Whenever a noble person among them stole, they would let him go, but if a low-class person among them stole, they would cut off his hand. If it were Fatimah bint Muhammad (who stole), I would cut off her hand."

It was narrated that 'Aishah said

"A woman borrowed some jewelry, saying that other people whose names were known but hers was not then she sold it and kept the money. She was brought to the Messenger of Allah, and her people went to Usamah bin Zaid, who spoke to the Messenger of Allah concerning her. The face of ht Messenger of Allah changed color while he was speaking to him. Then the Messenger of Allah said to him: 'Are you interceding with me concerning one of ht Hadd punishments decreed by Allah?' Usamah said: 'Pray for forgiveness for me, O Messenger of Allah! Then the Messenger of Allah stood up that evening, he praised and glorified Allah, the mighty and sublime, as he deserves, then he said: 'The people who came before you were destroyed because, whenever a noble person among them stole, they let him go. But if a low-class person stole, they would carry out the punishment on him. By the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, if Fatimah bint Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand.' Then he cut off that woman."

It was narrated from 'Aishah that Quraish were worried about the Mkahzumi woman who had stolen. They said;Who will speak to the Messenger of Allah concerning her?" They said

"Who would dare to do that except Usamah bin Zaid, the beloved of the Messenger of Allah?" so Usamah spoke to him and the Messenger of Allah said: "Are you interceding concerning one of the Hadd punishments decreed by Allah?" Then he stood up and addressed (the people) and said: "Those who came before you were destroyed because, whenever a noble person among them stole, they would let him go. But if a person who was weak stole, they would carry out the punishment on him. By Allah, if Fatimah the daughter of Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hnad."

It was narrated that 'Aishah said

"A woman of Quraish, from banu Makhzum, stole, and she was brought to the Prophet. They said: 'Who will speak to him concerning her?' They said: 'Usamah bin Zaid.' So he came to the Prophet and spoke to him. But he rebuked him, and he said; 'Among the Children of Israel, if a noble person stole, they would let him go. But if a low-class person stole, they would cut off his hand. By the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, if Fatimah bint Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand.""

It was narrated from 'Aishah the Quraish were worried about the case of the Makhzumi woman who stole, and they said

"Who will speak concerning her?" They said: "Who would dare to do that except Usamah bin Zaid, the beloved of the Messenger of Allah?" said: "Those who came before you were destroyed because whenever a noble person among them stole they would let him go. But if a person who was weak stole, they would carry out the Hadd punishment. By Allah, if Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad, were to steal, I would ct off her hand."

It was narrated from 'Aishah that

a woman stole at the time of the Messenger of Allah, during the Conquest, and she was brought to the Messenger of Allah. Usamah bin Zaid spoke to him concerning her. But when he spoke to him, the face of the Messenger of Allah changed color, and the Messenger of Allah said: "Are you interceding concerning one of the Hadd punishment decreed by Allah?" Isa,aj said to him: "O Messenger of Allah ask Allah to forgive me!" When evening came, the Messenger of Allah stood up and praised and glorified Allah, the mighty and sublime, as He deserves, then he said: "The people who came before you were destroyed because whenever a noble person among them stole, they would let him go. But if one who was weak stole, they would carry out the Hadd punishment on him." Then he said: "By the One in whose hand is my soul, if Fatimah bint Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand."

It was narrated that Az-Zuhri said

"Urwah bin Az-Zubair told me that a woman stole at the time of the Messenger of Allah, during the Conquest. Her people went to Uswamah bin Zaid, to ask him to intercede." 'Urwah said: "When Usamah spoke to him concerning her, the face of the Messenger of Allah changed color and he said: 'Are you speaking to me concerning one of the Hadd punishments of Allah?" Usamah said: 'Pray to Allah for forgiveness for me, O Messenger of Allah.' When evening came, the Messenger of Allah stood up to deliver a speech. He praised Allah as He deserves, then he said: 'The people who came before you were destroyed because, whenever a noble person among them stole, they would carry out the Hadd punishment on him. By the One in whose hand is my soul, if Fatimah bint Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand.' Then the Messenger of Allah ordered that the hand of that woman be cut off. After that she repented sincerely, and 'Aishah said: 'She used to come to me after that, and I would convey her needs to the Messenger of Allah."'

Chapter 7: Encouragement to carry out Hadd Punishments

Abu Hurairah said

"The Messenger of Allah said: 'A Hadd punishment that is carried out on earth is better for the people of earth than if it were to rain for thirty mornings."' (Daif)

It was narrated that Abu Zurah said

"Abu Hurairah said: 'Carrying out a Hadd punishment in a land is better for its people than if it were to rain for forty nights." (Daif)

Chapter 8: The Value for which, if it is stolen, the (Thief's) Hand is to be cut off

'Abdullah bin 'Amr said

"The Messenger of Allah cut off (a thief's hand) for a shield which was worth five Durham's." This is how he (the narrator) said it. (Daif)

'Abdullah bin 'Umar said

"The Messenger of Allah cut off (a thief's hand) for a shield which was worth three Dirham." (Sahih) Abu 'Abdur-Rahman (An-Nasai) said: This is correct.

It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar that

the Messenger of Allah cut off (a thief's hand) for a shield which cost three Dirhams.