Punishment of a Thief

Punishment of a Thief

Story No. 2476

“The punishment for theft is also this: the thief’s hand is cut off.”

Monday, 13 March 2023

By Batool Fatima

Aslam entered a large supermarket and casually picked up an expensive perfume, slipping it into his pocket. After that, he lifted a high-quality wristwatch and hid it as well. One by one, he pocketed several costly items and walked out of the store as if nothing had happened. Making excuses, he sold those stolen goods at a cheap price to a nearby shopkeeper.

Even the motorcycle he was riding was stolen, and he rode it recklessly through the streets without any concern for others

On the way, he noticed a woman wearing a burqa, walking with her purse hanging from her shoulder. Aslam sped up his motorcycle, passed close to her, and snatched her purse. Without stopping, he turned sharply into a side street and disappeared.

Meanwhile, Karmo, a vegetable vendor, was passing through the same street as he did every day, calling out loudly, “Potatoes! Onions! Cucumbers! Eggplants! Tomatoes! Bitter gourds and round gourds! Fresh vegetables for sale!”

Suddenly, a helmet-wearing motorcyclist rushed into the street at high speed and violently crashed into Karmo’s vegetable cart. Within moments, the rider fell off the motorcycle, and the bike slid across the ground. Karmo’s vegetables scattered everywhere. Since Karmo had stepped back upon seeing the motorcycle, he remained safe.

The injured man was Aslam. He was groaning in pain. Blood was flowing from his left leg, and his right arm was badly fractured. The motorcycle’s tires were still spinning because the engine had not been switched off.

Karmo could not bear to see the man’s condition. He immediately called out to people for help and turned off the motorcycle engine so his voice could be heard clearly. Soon, people gathered around. With collective effort, they lifted the injured man and placed him into an ambulance, which rushed him to the hospital. Doctors immediately began treatment.

On the other hand, Karmo was blaming himself. He believed the accident had happened because of his own dishonesty in buying and selling vegetables. As a result of the collision, he had suffered heavy losses. He repented sincerely and made a firm promise that he would never deceive anyone again.

Aslam’s condition was extremely serious. He was taken to the emergency ward. His left leg had suffered a deep and severe injury, and the bone in his right arm was broken. The damage was so serious that his entire right hand became useless.

There were several thousand rupees in his pocket, but before he was taken to the hospital, someone had stolen the money. His mobile phone was also missing.

After some time, Aslam regained consciousness. He realized that his right hand was no longer functional. Now he found himself dependent on others for even the smallest tasks. The wealth he had accumulated through theft was gone. Everything he had stolen had slipped out of his hands.

Not only had he lost his stolen money and possessions, but he had also lost the use of his hand. His life had completely changed. The reckless freedom he once enjoyed had turned into pain, regret, and helplessness.

His life had completely changed. The reckless freedom he once enjoyed had turned into pain, regret, and helplessness.

In the end, Aslam understood a harsh reality: the punishment for theft does not always come through courts or prisons. Sometimes, it comes in the form of consequences that destroy one’s body, dignity, and future. Indeed, the punishment of a thief is this—that his hand is taken away.