What is the ruling on a father cauterizing his 12-year-old son, who has stolen from him several times, and is the father considered sinful for doing so, and how can he expiate his sin?

Cauterizing with fire for reasons other than treatment is forbidden, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "None punishes with fire except the Lord of fire." The questioner erred by cauterizing his son with fire for theft, because a child before puberty does not deserve this punishment, for the pen of responsibility is lifted from him. Even for abandoning prayer, which is a greater sin than theft, a child is not to be disciplined for it until the age of ten.

The father must seek forgiveness for two sins: committing what Allah has forbidden, and oppressing his son. He must make his son feel his love for him, and educate and discipline him according to Islamic manners, and warn him of the punishment for theft in this world and the hereafter.