46/13. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4967 — Meaning of Kathar
Things for which the hand may not be cut off
Hadith About Kathar, Jummar and Produce Theft
Sunan an-Nasai : 4967
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4967
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى بْنِ حَبَّانَ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ، أَنَّ رَافِعَ بْنَ خَدِيجٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " لاَ قَطْعَ فِي ثَمَرٍ وَلاَ كَثَرٍ " . وَالْكَثَرُ الْجُمَّارُ .
Rafi' bin Khadij Narrated from:
I heard the Messenger of Allah say: 'The hand is not be cut off for (stealing) produce or the spadix of palm trees.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4967In-book reference : Book 46, Hadith 97English translation : Vol. 5, Book 46, Hadith 4970
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4967
This narration includes the phrase that the hand is not to be cut off for produce or the spadix of palm trees, and it adds that kathar means jummar. That small note helps explain the word used in the report. For readers searching la qat'a fi thamarin wa la kathar, the meaning is still focused. Rafi bin Khadij heard the Messenger of Allah give a limit related to these items. The hadith is not a full theft-law manual. It is one report with clear wording. Its teaching is to be precise, especially when a legal penalty is being discussed. Clearly.
What we learn from this hadith
- The narration states that hand cutting does not apply to produce mentioned in the hadith.
- The text names two items clearly: produce and the spadix of palm trees.
- The report teaches care in applying legal penalties only where the text allows it.
