PUNISHMENT FOR THE THIEF IN HADITH VS. QURAN
One of the most barbaric practices in the “muslim” world is the cutting off of a thief’s hands as dictated by the following hadiths.
Volume 8, Book 81, Number 780 :
Narrated by 'Aisha
The Prophet said, "The hand should be cut off for stealing something that is worth a quarter of a Dinar or more."
Volume 8, Book 81, Number 783 :
Narrated by 'Aisha
The hand of a thief was not cut off during the lifetime of the Prophet except for stealing something equal to a shield in value.
Volume 8, Book 81, Number 785 :
Narrated by 'Aisha
A thief's hand was not cut off for stealing something cheaper than a Hajafa or a Turs (two kinds of shields), each of which was worth a (respectable) price.
Volume 8, Book 81, Number 787 :
Narrated by Ibn 'Umar
Allah's Apostle cut off the hand of a thief for stealing a shield that was worth three Dirhams.
Volume 8, Book 81, Number 791 :
Narrated by Abu Huraira
Allah 's Apostle said, "Allah curses the thief who steals an egg (or a helmet) for which his hand is to be cut off, or steals a rope, for which his hand is to be cut off."
Note how these hadiths contradict themselves regarding the value of the stolen goods (goods worth a quarter of a Dinar, equal to a shield in value, a shield worth 3 dirhams, an egg, a helmet, or a rope) that dictate the cutting off of the hand.
Contrary to common belief in the “muslim” world, the thief's hand shall not be cut off.
Quranic law calls for marking the hand of the thief, not severing it, as stated in the following verse.
[5:38] The thief, male or female, you shall mark their hands as a punishment for their crime, and to serve as an example from GOD. GOD is Almighty, Most Wise
The other place in the Quran where "the hand is cut" is found in:
[12:31] When she heard of their gossip, she invited them, prepared for them a comfortable place, and gave each of them a knife. She then said to him, "Enter their room." When they saw him, they so admired him, that they cut their hands. They said, "Glory be to GOD, this is not a human being; this is an honorable angel."
These women admired Joseph so much that they "cut" their
hands. Obviously, they did not sever their hands; no one can do that. Punishment in Islam is based on equivalence. Certainly, anything stolen is replaceable but a severed hand isn’t.
There are scores of men (and women) who have had their hands cut off as punishment for stealing and now these individuals are not able to work and support their families. Some rely on charity while many turn to begging in the streets.
Had these “muslim” countries allowed God’s law to prevail, there would be more productive members of society, less families in distress, and better economic conditions overall.
One of the most barbaric practices in the “muslim” world is the cutting off of a thief’s hands as dictated by the following hadiths.
Volume 8, Book 81, Number 780 :
Narrated by 'Aisha
The Prophet said, "The hand should be cut off for stealing something that is worth a quarter of a Dinar or more."
Volume 8, Book 81, Number 783 :
Narrated by 'Aisha
The hand of a thief was not cut off during the lifetime of the Prophet except for stealing something equal to a shield in value.
Volume 8, Book 81, Number 785 :
Narrated by 'Aisha
A thief's hand was not cut off for stealing something cheaper than a Hajafa or a Turs (two kinds of shields), each of which was worth a (respectable) price.
Volume 8, Book 81, Number 787 :
Narrated by Ibn 'Umar
Allah's Apostle cut off the hand of a thief for stealing a shield that was worth three Dirhams.
Volume 8, Book 81, Number 791 :
Narrated by Abu Huraira
Allah 's Apostle said, "Allah curses the thief who steals an egg (or a helmet) for which his hand is to be cut off, or steals a rope, for which his hand is to be cut off."
Note how these hadiths contradict themselves regarding the value of the stolen goods (goods worth a quarter of a Dinar, equal to a shield in value, a shield worth 3 dirhams, an egg, a helmet, or a rope) that dictate the cutting off of the hand.
Contrary to common belief in the “muslim” world, the thief's hand shall not be cut off.
Quranic law calls for marking the hand of the thief, not severing it, as stated in the following verse.
[5:38] The thief, male or female, you shall mark their hands as a punishment for their crime, and to serve as an example from GOD. GOD is Almighty, Most Wise
The other place in the Quran where "the hand is cut" is found in:
[12:31] When she heard of their gossip, she invited them, prepared for them a comfortable place, and gave each of them a knife. She then said to him, "Enter their room." When they saw him, they so admired him, that they cut their hands. They said, "Glory be to GOD, this is not a human being; this is an honorable angel."
These women admired Joseph so much that they "cut" their
hands. Obviously, they did not sever their hands; no one can do that. Punishment in Islam is based on equivalence. Certainly, anything stolen is replaceable but a severed hand isn’t.
There are scores of men (and women) who have had their hands cut off as punishment for stealing and now these individuals are not able to work and support their families. Some rely on charity while many turn to begging in the streets.
Had these “muslim” countries allowed God’s law to prevail, there would be more productive members of society, less families in distress, and better economic conditions overall.
