It is narrated from Sayyiduna Safwan bin Umayyah that I was sleeping in the Prophet's Mosque when a thief came and took the cloth from under my head and left. I chased him, caught him, and brought him to the service of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said: This person has stolen my cloth. The Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered his hand to be cut off. I said: O Messenger of Allah! I forgive him. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Why did you not forgive him before bringing him to me? Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) had his hand cut off.
Hadith Referenceمسند احمد / مسند المكيين / 15305
Hadith Gradingحکم دارالسلام:حديث صحيح بطرقه وشاهده، وهذا إسناد ضعيف، ابن أبى عروبة مختلط، وسماع محمد بن جعفر منه بعد أختلاطه، وطارق بن المرقع مجهول، وقد اختلف فيه على عطاء