Sura-5 [Al Maida Medina 112]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَالسَّارِقُ وَالسَّارِقَةُ فَاقْطَعُواْ أَيْدِيَهُمَا جَزَاء بِمَا كَسَبَا...

5: 38. As to the thief, male or female,

- cut off his or her hands:

a punishment by way of example,

C742. Here we touch upon jurisprudence. The Canon Law jurists are not unanimous as to the value of the property stolen, which would involve the penalty of the cutting off of the hand. The majority hold that petty thefts are exempt from this punishment.

The general opinion is that only one hand should be cut off for the first theft, on the principle that "if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee" (Matt. 18:8).

Apparently in the age of Jesus thieves were crucified (Matt. 27:38).

... نَكَالاً مِّنَ اللّهِ وَاللّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴿٣٨﴾

from Allah, for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in Power.

فَمَن تَابَ مِن بَعْدِ ظُلْمِهِ وَأَصْلَحَ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ يَتُوبُ عَلَيْهِ...

5 : 39. But if the thief repents after his crime, and amends his conduct, Allah turneth to him in forgiveness;

... إِنَّ اللّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٣٩﴾

for Allah if Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Other versions:

5: 38

Yusuf Ali As to the thief male or female cut off his or her hands: a punishment by way of example from Allah for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in Power.

Pickthall As for the thief, both male and female, cut off their hands. It is the reward of their own deeds, an exemplary punishment from Allah. Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Transliteration Was sa_riqu was sa_riqatu faqta'u_ aidayahuma_ jaza_'am bima_ kasaba_ naka_lam minalla_h(i), walla_hu 'azizun hakim(un).

5: 39

Yusuf Ali But if the thief repent after his crime and amend his conduct Allah turneth to him in forgiveness; for Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.

Pickthall But whoso repenteth after his wrongdoing and amendeth, lo! Allah will relent toward him. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Transliteration Faman ta_ba mim ba'di zulmihi wa aslaha fa innalla_ha yatu_bu 'alaih(i), innalla_ha gafu_rur rahim(un).

[ Ali’s note 742 Here we touch upon jurisprudence. The Canon Law jurists are not unanimous as to the value of the property stolen, which would involve the penalty of the cutting off of the hand. The majority hold that petty thefts are exempt from this punishment. The general opinion is that only one hand should be cut off for the first theft, on the principle that "if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee" (Matt. xviii. 8). Apparently in the age of Jesus thieves were crucified (Matt. xxvii. 38). (5.38)

743 Punishment really does not belong to mortals, but to Allah alone. Only, in order to keep civil society together, and protect innocent people from crime, certain principles are laid down on which people can build up their criminal law. But we must always remember that Allah not only punishes but forgives, and forgiveness is the attribute which is more prominently placed before us. It is not our wisdom that can really define the bounds of forgiveness or punishment, but His Will or Plan, which is the true standard of righteousness and justice. (5.40) ]

[[ The word of cutting here does not mean cutting off but may mean just making a cut on the hand to mark or so. Enquire about it further.]]