Cut off the Hands of the Thieves

Lesson # 619 From Holy Qur’aan

Cut off the Hands of the Thieves

‘Al-Maaa-‘idah (the Table Spread) – Chapter – 5)–Stage - 2

Verse – 38 of 120, Section – 6 of 16 (Part - 6)

 BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of Allaah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

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

Was-saariqu  was-saariqatu  faqta-‘uuu  ‘ay-diyahumaa  jazaaa-‘am-  bi-maa  kasabaa  nakaalam-minAllaah.  WAllaahu  ‘Aziizun  Hakiim.

Lesson

‘As-saariqu  was-saariqatu – (the thief man and the thief woman), these both words have been derived from Saraqah, which means “Theft”.

At the end of last section of this Surah, punishment for robbers, plunderers, swindlers, killers and mischievous people was explained and told that they intend to fight against Allaah Almighty and His Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him), because they break the Divine Law of the religion, kill the innocent people (servants of Allaah Almighty), create and excite a disturbance in the society and country.

Then the Muslims were admonished that they should be reconciled with Allaah Almighty, try to get His nearness by His obedience and not to do the deeds like quarrelsome people.

After that, punishment for the thieves has been described in connection with the punishment of the criminals. They are criminals but less than the robbers, because neither they kill anyone, nor frighten and nor threaten the people. They only take away the precious things stealthily and unseen by the owner. But due to this act, the people are much afflicted and sometimes they take pains like agonies of death. Ask the person, whose shoes (not too much costly) have been stolen from the Masjid early in the morning, while he was offering Fajar prayer, particularly while he had to go on duty and had not any money to purchase a new pair of shoes. Moreover, ask from that laborer, who brought a very little sum, earned after severe hardworking, and in the evening his pocket was picked and his wife and children were hungry at home. What should he do now?

It has been commanded that the hands of any thief should be cut off, whether he is male, or she is female. It is the punishment of their bad deeds and not obeying the Order of Allaah Almighty. He is Mighty and Wise. Nobody can ignore His command and it is sure that there is advisability in His each Order.

It is sufficient to know here that the person, who steals first time and the crime has been proved, then his/her right hand should be cut off from the wrist. Detail regarding punishment of the thief has been explained in Fiqah (The Science of the Muslim Law).

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’an published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)