[As for] the thief, the male and the female, amputate their hands in recompense for what they earned [i.e., committed] as a deterrent [punishment] from Allāh. And Allāh is Exalted in Might and Wise.
Verse 38 of Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:38), a Medinan surah, is in juz 6, on page 114 of the mushaf. Read it in Arabic with its transliteration, translations and tafsir, and listen to it recited by 73 reciters.
Listen to verse 38 of Surah Al-Ma’idah
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Tafsir of verse 38
Al-Mukhtasar
As for those who are caught stealing, those in authority are to cut off the right hand of the male and female thief as a punishment from Allah for the crime of wrongfully taking people’s wealth, and to serve as a lesson and deterrent for them, as well as others. Allah is Mighty and nothing can overpower His decree. He is Wise in His decree and legislation.
As for the thief, male or female, amputate their hands as a deterrent punishment35 from Allah for what they have done. Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.
Notes
[35] Nakāl (deterrence) is penalization set as an example for others; it is called nakāl because it deters both the perpetrator and others from committing it.
And (as for) the male thief and the female thief, cut off (from the wrist joint) their (right) hands as a recompense for that which they committed, a punishment by way of example from Allâh. And Allâh is All-Powerful, All-Wise.
As for the thief, both male and female, cut off their hands. It is the reward of their own deeds, an exemplary punishment from Allah. Allah is Mighty, Wise.
As to the thief, Male or female, cut off his or her hands: a punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in power.
And (as for) the man who steals and the woman who steals, cut off their hands as a punishment for what they have earned, an exemplary punishment from Allah; and Allah is Mighty, Wise.
And the male thief and the female thief: then cut (off) the hands of both, as a recompense for what they (both) have earned, as a torture from Allah; and Allah is Ever-Mighty, Ever-Wise.
Verse 38 word by word
وَٱلسَّارِقُwal-sāriquAnd (for) the male thiefس ر ق
وَٱلسَّارِقَةُwal-sāriqatuand the female thiefس ر ق
