Cauterizing a thief's hand

Ibn Thawban said that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cut off a man's hand, then cauterized it to stop the bleeding.

This same act of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is also reported from Muhammad bin Abd al-Rahman through this chain.

Amr bin Abi Sufyan said that a thief was brought to Sayyiduna Ibn al-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him), and he cut off his hand. At that, Aban bin Uthman said to him: "Cauterize him." He said: "You are very merciful toward him." He said: "No, but this practice is the Sunnah."

Amr said that al-Hasan al-Basri said: "Cauterizing the thief is the Sunnah way."

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."