Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

Abu Majdah says: I was sitting with Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him), and he said: I know the first man whose hand was cut by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). A thief was brought, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered his hand to be cut, but it seemed that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was distressed. The companions said: O Messenger of Allah! It seems that you dislike cutting his hand? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “What could prevent me? Do not be helpers of Satan against your brother. It befits every leader that when a prescribed punishment reaches him, he should carry it out. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and loves forgiveness. (The command of Allah, the Exalted, is:) ‘And let them pardon and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.’” (__QUR_N__ Surah Nur: 22)