1. Condemnation and Punishment of Theft in the Holy Qur’an
Allah the Exalted has described theft in the Holy Qur’an as a grave crime and has prescribed a severe punishment for it:
﴿وَالسَّارِقُ وَالسَّارِقَةُ فَاقْطَعُوا أَيْدِيَهُمَا جَزَاءًۭ بِمَا كَسَبَا نَكَالًۭا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ﴾
Translation:
“As for the thief, male or female, cut off their hands as a recompense for what they have earned, and as a punishment from Allah. And Allah is Mighty and Wise.”
This verse clarifies the severe punishment for theft under Islamic law, which is not only a lesson for the offender but also a means of keeping society free from crimes like theft.
2. The Severe Warning Against Theft in the Hadith
The gravity of theft can be gauged from many hadiths of the Prophet ﷺ, in which the condemnation of this crime and the explanation of its punishment are set out.
a) The Prophet ﷺ’s Statement That There Is No Leniency for Theft
Umm al-Mu’minin Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا، قَالَتْ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
“إِنَّمَا أَهْلَكَ الَّذِينَ قَبْلَكُمْ، أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا إِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الشَّرِيفُ تَرَكُوهُ، وَإِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الضَّعِيفُ أَقَامُوا عَلَيْهِ الْحَدَّ، وَايْمُ اللَّهِ، لَوْ أَنَّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ مُحَمَّدٍ سَرَقَتْ لَقَطَعْتُ يَدَهَا”
Translation:
“The people before you were destroyed because when a person of high standing among them stole, they would let him go, and when a weak person stole, they would enforce the prescribed punishment upon him. By Allah, if Fatimah the daughter of Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand.”
This hadith highlights the importance of justice and shows that Islamic law does not grant anyone leniency or preferential treatment, regardless of who they are.
b) The Effect of Theft on Faith
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
“لَا يَزْنِي الزَّانِي حِينَ يَزْنِي وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ، وَلَا يَسْرِقُ السَّارِقُ حِينَ يَسْرِقُ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ، وَلَا يَشْرَبُ الْخَمْرَ حِينَ يَشْرَبُ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ…”
Translation:
“A fornicator does not commit fornication while he is a believer, a thief does not steal while he is a believer, and a drinker of wine does not drink while he is a believer…”
This hadith makes clear that theft and other major sins affect a person’s faith, and that such evil deeds are a sign of weakness in faith.
Conclusion
Theft is an extremely grave crime in Islam, whose punishment is severe in this world and which can also become a cause of punishment in the Hereafter. Theft does not only cause loss of property but also gives rise to social unrest and mistrust. Therefore, every Muslim should abstain from theft, be content with lawful sustenance, and follow the commands of Allah the Exalted so that they may achieve success in this world and the Hereafter.
