46/10. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4941 — Theft Threshold and Shield Value
Mentioning the Differences Reported by Abu Bakr bin Muhammad and 'Abdullah bin Abi Bakr From 'Amrah In This Hadith
Hadith About Thief Hand Cut Off for Shield Value
Sunan an-Nasai : 4941
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4941
أَخْبَرَنَا سُوَيْدُ بْنُ نَصْرٍ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ لَمْ تُقْطَعْ يَدُ سَارِقٍ فِي أَدْنَى مِنْ حَجَفَةٍ أَوْ تُرْسٍ وَكُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا ذُو ثَمَنٍ .
A'isha Narrated from:
The hand of the thief should not be cut off for anything less than a Hajafah or a Turs (two kinds of shields), each of which was worth a (decent) price.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4941In-book reference : Book 46, Hadith 71English translation : Vol. 5, Book 46, Hadith 4944
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4941
This hadith from Aishah is about the minimum value mentioned for the cutting of the thief’s hand. People often search for “hadith about thief hand cut off” or “shield value theft hadith,” and this narration answers with a clear example: the hand was not cut for anything less than a Hajafah or Turs, two types of shields, and each had a decent price. The text focuses on value, not on anger, revenge, or quick punishment. It also does not mention fruit, sheep, or other cases, so those should not be mixed into this explanation. According to Islamic scholars, such legal rulings are applied only through proper authority and due process.
What we learn from this hadith
- The narration points to a minimum value before this penalty is discussed.
- A Hajafah or Turs is mentioned because each had a decent price.
- The hadith keeps the focus on value, not personal revenge.
- The report should not be expanded with conditions not stated in the text.
