Theft of public property and differing punishments

271. It is related that two persons were brought to Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him. They had committed theft of public property. One of them was a slave purchased from public money and the other had been purchased by someone among the people.

Then Amīr al-mu’minīn said: As for this one who is the property of public money, there is no punishment for him for it means one property of Allāh having taken another property of Allāh. As for the other, he should get the punishment. Consequently, his hand was cut.