5:38 (Theft is a crime that steals away the sense of security from a society). A habitual thief, male or female, must have their ability (to steal) cut off. This is the reward for their doings, and a deterrent from Allah. Allah is Almighty, Wise.
[For QAT’A, the so-called cutting of hands, please see 12]
Here's the reference from Mathew Chapter 18, Verses 8-9 (King James Version).
And if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.
Can anyone do that? Is it possible that Muslim translators of the Qur'an rendered 'Qat'a' literally under Biblical influence?
12:31 When she heard their gossip, she invited them, and prepared comfortable couches for them, and they schemed. She gave a knife to each of the women. Then, she called Joseph, “Come out unto them!” And when they saw him they flattered him and ‘cut their hands’. They exclaimed in their flattery, “Good Lord! This is no mortal man! This is but an angel!”
Wassalam,
SA
SA