Is the حد (prescribed punishment) for theft to be carried out on a man who stole a woman's purse in front of people in the market?
For the hadd (punishment) of theft to be established by cutting off the thief's hand, the following conditions must be met: the thief must be an adult and of sound mind; the stolen item must reach the nisab (minimum value) or more; it must be taken from a customary place of safekeeping; it must be taken secretly as an act of theft, not by force (ghasb) or violation; and there must be no doubt that would avert the hadd.
If the taking was overt and in front of people, then it is considered nahb (plunder) or ghasb (usurpation), and the perpetrator is subject to a discretionary punishment (ta'zir) as deemed fit by the ruler, such as beating or imprisonment, but their hand is not to be cut off.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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