Abu Umaiyah al-Makhzumi (RAA) narrated, 'A thief who has made a confession was brought to the Messenger of Allah ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) but no goods were found with him. Allah's Messenger ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) said to him, "I do not think you have stolen!" The man replied, 'Yes I have.' The Prophet ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) repeated it to him twice or thrice, so he gave his commands concerning him, and his hand was cut off. He was then brought to the Messenger of Allah ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) who said to him, "Ask forgiveness of Allah and turn to Him in repentance." The man said, 'I ask Allah's forgiveness and turn to Him in repentance.' The Messenger of Allah ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) then said three times, "O Allah! forgive him." Related by Abu Dawud, Ahmad and An-Nasa'i with a trustworthy chain or narrators, and it is Abu Dawud's version. Al-Hakim transmitted the same hadith on the authority of Abu Hurairah (RAA) giving similar meaning. The Messenger of Allah ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) said: "Take him away and cut off his hand and cauterize him." Al-Bazzar transmitted the same hadith but commented that its chain of narrators is not sound.