Book 46: The Book of Cutting off the Hand of the ThiefHasan
Chapter 4
If A Man Lets A Thief Have What He Stole, After Bringing Him Before The Ruler, And Mention Of The Differences Reported From 'Ata In The Narration Of Safwan Bin Umayyah About That
a man stole a garment, and was brought before the Messenger of Allah, who order that his hand be cut off. The man said: "O Messenger of Allah, he can keep it." He said: "Why (did you not say that) before now?"