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22 / 04 / 2026
The Punishment for Theft
If the punishments are applied, the punishment for the thief is the amputation of the hand. Is the punishment for theft fixed, and do those who steal public money fall under the term 'thief' for whom the hand is to be cut off?
Answer
I say, and with God's help: There is no doubt about the establishment of the punishment for theft; as Allah, the Exalted, said: {As for the thief, the male and the female, amputate their hands}. However, the hand of one who steals public money is not to be cut off, because he has a share in it, which creates a doubt, so his hand is not to be cut off. And Allah knows best.
