Pity for the thief

When some money was stolen from a righteous man who lived in Khurasaan, he began to weep. Fuḍayl, who saw him in that state, asked, “Why do you cry?” The man answered, “I remembered that Allah shall gather me and the thief together on the Day of Judgment, and I cried, feeling pity for him.” [Read on pg 314, ‘Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni]

Theft is Haraam (forbidden) according to the Quran, Sunnah [sayings of Prophet Muhammad  ] and Ijmaa’ (scholarly consensus). Allaah, the Most Exalted, has condemned this action and decreed an appropriate punishment for it. The Hadd [i.e. the legal punishment prescribed by the Sharee'ah (Islamic law)] for a thief is to cut off the thief's hand. Allaah Almighty Says in the Noble Quran (what means):

“[As for] the thief, the male and the female, amputate their hands in recompense for what they earned [i.e. committed] as a deterrent [punishment] from Allaah. And Allaah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” [Quran 5:38] 

The Prophet  said:
“The hand (of the thief) should be cut off for (the theft of) a quarter of a Dinar or more.” [Al-Bukhaari] 

The Prophet  cursed the thief because he is a corrupt element in society, and if he is left unpunished, his corruption will spread and infect the body of the Ummah (Muslim community). He  said:
“May Allaah curse the thief who steals an egg and has his hand cut off, or steals a rope and has his hand cut off.” [Al-Bukhaari] 

What indicates that this ruling is definitive is the fact that a Makhzoomi noblewoman (from the tribe of Makhzoom) stole at the time of the Prophet  and Usaamah Ibn Zayd  wanted to intercede for her. The Prophet  became angry and said:
“Do you intercede concerning one of the Hadd set by Allaah? Those who came before you were destroyed because if a rich man among them stole, they would let him off, but if a lowly person stole, they would carry out the punishment on him. By Allaah, if Faatimah Bint (daughter of) Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand.” [Al-Bukhaari]

 But the matter is as Allaah Says (what means):

“Then is it the judgement of [the time of] ignorance they desire? But who is better than Allaah in judgement for a people who are certain [in faith].” [Quran 5:50]  

p/s this was taken from http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/index.php?page=articles&id=136791