A person stole and repented, but he does not know the owners of the stolen goods. Is it permissible for him to give their value in charity with the intention that it belongs to the owners?

Question:
A person stole and repented to Allah for that, but he disposed of the stolen goods, and he does not know some of the owners of the stolen goods. What should he do? And if he recognizes one of them, but he fears that if he confesses to him because of that, it will cause him problems, is it permissible for him to estimate the value of the stolen goods? With the intention of the owners? And is charity accepted for needy relatives such as orphans and widows? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
Theft is a major sin. Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, has forbidden theft, cursed the thief, and ordered the cutting of his hand and the establishment of the hadd (fixed punishment) upon him. The thief, male or female, their hands are cut off as a recompense for what they have earned. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . Theft is a major crime among the major sins. However, whoever repents, Allah accepts his repentance. So if the thief repents with a valid repentance, Allah accepts it. Repentance is accepted if it is valid according to its conditions. As for the amounts he has accumulated, if he knows their owners, he must return them to them and ask for their forgiveness. The saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "Whoever has an injustice against his brother, let him seek his forgiveness today before there is no dinar or dirham," meaning on the Day of Resurrection. Yes. If he has good deeds, they will be taken from his good deeds and given to the wronged person. If he does not have good deeds, or if his good deeds are exhausted, then the sins of the wronged person will be taken and placed upon him, and he will be thrown into the Fire. So the danger is severe. And if he does not know their owners, he must give it in charity with the intention that the reward belongs to the owners. As for him, he has no reward in that; rather, he is only getting rid of these moneys that are not lawful for him. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good. If he gets rid of it. A person, Shaykh Salih, from the sin, is he not excused? Is he rewarded other than for the charity? Meaning he has no reward for the charity, and the fact that he is rewarded for getting rid of it is something else. Yes, if he is not rewarded for the charity, he is rewarded for the fear of Allah and getting rid of it, but the reward of the charity belongs to the owner. May Allah reward you with good, and may Allah reward you.