What is Sunan an-Nasa'i 4977 about?

This hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i (Book of The Book of Cutting off the Hand of the Thief), narrated by It was narrated that Rafi bin Khadij said:, states: ""I heard the Messenger of Allah say: 'The hand is not to be cut off for (stealing) produce or the spadix of palm trees."' (Sahih) Abu 'Abdur-Rahman (An-Nasai) said: This is a mistake, and I do not…"

Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sunan an-Nasa'i, which contains 5,768 hadiths across 52 books. It is hadith number 4977 in the Book of The Book of Cutting off the Hand of the Thief.

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#4976

#4977

Sunan an-Nasa'i

#4978

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Sunan an-Nasa'i #4977

The Book of Cutting off the Hand of the Thief

Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى بْنِ حَبَّانَ، عَنْ أَبِي مَيْمُونٍ، عَنْ رَافِعِ بْنِ خَدِيجٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ لاَ قَطْعَ فِي ثَمَرٍ وَلاَ كَثَرٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ هَذَا خَطَأٌ أَبُو مَيْمُونٍ لاَ أَعْرِفُهُ ‏.‏

"I heard the Messenger of Allah say: 'The hand is not to be cut off for (stealing) produce or the spadix of palm trees."' (Sahih) Abu 'Abdur-Rahman (An-Nasai) said: This is a mistake, and I do not know who Abu Maimun (one of the narrators) is.

Narrated by It was narrated that Rafi bin Khadij said:

Context

In this hadith, Rafi bin Khadij narrates a statement from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ regarding the punishment for theft of produce. The Prophet emphasizes that the hand should not be cut off for stealing fruits or the spadix of palm trees, indicating a compassionate approach to minor thefts. This reflects a broader theme of justice and mercy in Islamic law.

Modern Application

In today's society, this principle encourages understanding and compassion towards those who may steal out of necessity or desperation. It reminds us to consider the circumstances of individuals before jumping to harsh judgments or penalties.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Punishments (Hudud) because it addresses the consequences of theft and the specific context in which such punishments should be applied.

Punishments (Hudud)

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ الشَّمۡسِ

Ash-Shams (The Sun)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ نَاقَةَ ٱللَّهِ وَسُقْيَٰهَا

And the messenger of Allah [Salih] said to them, "[Do not harm] the she-camel of Allah or [prevent her from] her drink."

سُورَةُ آلِ عِمۡرَانَ

Aal-i-Imraan (The Family of Imraan)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَمَا كَانَ لِنَبِىٍّ أَن يَغُلَّ ۚ وَمَن يَغْلُلْ يَأْتِ بِمَا غَلَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ ۚ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍۢ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ

It is not [attributable] to any prophet that he would act unfaithfully [in regard to war booty]. And whoever betrays, [taking unlawfully], will come with what he took on the Day of Resurrection. Then will every soul be [fully] compensated for what it earned, and they will not be wronged.

سُورَةُ المَائـِدَةِ

Al-Maaida (The Table)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَٱلسَّارِقُ وَٱلسَّارِقَةُ فَٱقْطَعُوٓا۟ أَيْدِيَهُمَا جَزَآءًۢ بِمَا كَسَبَا نَكَٰلًۭا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌۭ

[As for] the thief, the male and the female, amputate their hands in recompense for what they committed as a deterrent [punishment] from Allah. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.

سُورَةُ الحَشۡرِ

Al-Hashr (The Exile)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

مَا قَطَعْتُم مِّن لِّينَةٍ أَوْ تَرَكْتُمُوهَا قَآئِمَةً عَلَىٰٓ أُصُولِهَا فَبِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِيُخْزِىَ ٱلْفَٰسِقِينَ

Whatever you have cut down of [their] palm trees or left standing on their trunks - it was by permission of Allah and so He would disgrace the defiantly disobedient.

سُورَةُ التَّوۡبَةِ

At-Tawba (The Repentance)

1 ayah

وَمِنْهُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ ٱلنَّبِىَّ وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ أُذُنٌۭ ۚ قُلْ أُذُنُ خَيْرٍۢ لَّكُمْ يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَيُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَرَحْمَةٌۭ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ

And among them are those who abuse the Prophet and say, "He is an ear." Say, "[It is] an ear of goodness for you that believes in Allah and believes the believers and [is] a mercy to those who believe among you." And those who abuse the Messenger of Allah - for them is a painful punishment.

Common Words

80 total69 unique8 repeated

ٱلله5x

لهم2x

رسول2x

بما2x

ما2x

من2x

يؤذون2x

أذن2x

فقال1x

ناقة1x

وسقيها1x

وما1x

كان1x

لنبى1x

أن1x

يغل1x

ومن1x

يغلل1x

يأت1x

غل1x

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About Sunan an-Nasa'i

This hadith is #4977 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Cutting off the Hand of the Thief. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated that Rafi bin Khadij said:.

Browse all Sunan an-Nasa'i All Hadith Collections

Sunan an-Nasa'i #4977

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

Related Hadiths

About Sunan an-Nasa'i

About This Hadith