A man stole gold and then repented to Allah. Does he return its value to its owner, or does he give it in charity?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Your Eminence, father. The questioner says: A man stole gold valued at twelve thousand riyals, then repented afterward. Does he have to return the value of the gold to its owner? And if he fears harm from returning the value to the owner of the gold, does he give it in charity?

Answer:
The right belongs to the owner of the gold. If he demands the gold, the thief must return something like it, like the gold. If he demands the value, he must pay him the value, because this is his right. He does not give it in charity. One does not give the money of people in charity as long as the owner of the gold is alive, or his heir if he is dead and his heir is alive; he must pay it to him. Paying it to him now is easier than paying it on the Day of Resurrection. So the repentant person must return the right to its owner. Yes, that is sufficient. And Allah the Exalted knows best, and may Allah send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad.