Does cutting off the hand of a thief mean severing it or preventing it, based on the connotation of the word "قطع" (cutting/severing/preventing) in the Holy Quran, which refers to prevention and not amputation, and the word "يد" (hand) which refers to power and not a limb, and how does the repentance mentioned in the subsequent verse align with this interpretation?

That message contains falsehoods, for the Quran is not to be interpreted by mere opinion or conjecture. Whoever does so has fabricated a lie against Allah. The Quran is interpreted by the Quran itself, the Sunnah of the Prophet, and the sayings of the Companions. The verses concerning amputation were revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and implemented. The prophetic Hadiths are explicit regarding cutting off the hand of a thief, and his foot if he returns to stealing. Scholars have unanimously agreed on cutting off the hand of the thief from the wrist, and this is what the Prophet (peace be upon him) did. The meaning of the verse, ﴿So whoever repents after his wrongdoing and reforms﴾, is that Allah forgives the thief in what is between him and Allah, with the necessity of returning the stolen money to its owners. The punishment of cutting off the hand for a thief—whether he stole little or much—is the essence of justice to deter people from theft and to preserve their wealth, along with requiring the thief to return the money he took.