In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful. May Allah bless Muhammad and his family. I seek Allah’s help, and in Allah I place my trust.

Book of Theft

The obligation to impose the punishment for theft is established by the Book of Allah—glorified and exalted is He—the Sunnah of His Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and the consensus of the Muslim community.

As for the Book, Allah Most High says:

“As for the thief, male or female, cut off their hands as recompense for what they have earned, as a deterrent from Allah. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.” [Al-Mā’idah: 38]

As for the Sunnah, there are many reports, including the Prophet’s statement—may Allah bless him and grant him peace: “Amputation is prescribed for stealing a quarter of a dinar.” He also said: “The thief’s hand is to be cut off for stealing a quarter of a dinar or more,” and: “The thief’s hand is not to be cut off except for stealing a quarter of a dinar or more.”

There is also the statement of Aishah—may Allah be pleased with her: “The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—only imposed amputation for stealing a quarter of a dinar.” She also said: “It was not so long ago, nor have I forgotten: amputation is prescribed for stealing a quarter of a dinar or more.”

These reports also include the established accounts that “the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—cut off a thief’s hand for stealing a shield worth three dirhams,” and that “he cut off the hand of the thief who stole Safwān’s cloak.” He also said: “No amputation is prescribed for stealing fruit hanging on trees or livestock grazing in the mountains. Once it has been brought into the enclosure or the drying floor, however, amputation is prescribed for stealing anything whose value reaches