Why is the punishment for theft in Islam amputation of the hand, even though the crime is not comparable to the imposed penalty, unlike drinking alcohol, which is a major sin, yet its punishment is not as severe as amputation of the hand?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
A Muslim must submit to Allah's حكم (judgment/ruling), for it is what is right and wise. The legal punishments (عقوبات شرعية) were established with complete divine knowledge and wisdom to deter crimes, and their severity varies according to the gravity of the offenses. Thus, each crime has a suitable punishment; for example, the punishment for theft is cutting off the hand because it is more deterrent than flogging, whereas the punishment for intoxication is only flogging, as its harm usually does not extend beyond the perpetrator.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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