Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 30512 — Cauterizing a thief's hand

Hujayyah said that Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) used to cut off the hands of thieves and cauterize them, then imprison them and treat them. When the wound had healed he would say: "Raise your hands." They would raise them, and it was as though they were the male organs of donkeys. Then he would say: "Who cut off your hands?" They would answer: "Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)." He would say: "Why did he cut them off?" They would answer: "We stole." Then he would say: "O Allah, bear witness! O Allah, bear witness! Go away."