Repentance from theft and returning the money to its owners

Question:
This is a young man asking, and he says: I committed several thefts. In some cases, I know the owners of the stolen money, and in others, I do not. I spent some of the money, and some remains. How do I make expiation for that? And am I required to pay the stolen money after a legal ruling has been issued against me?

Answer:
Yes, you are required to return the rights to their owners. If you know them, you are required to return the rights to them to the extent of your ability. Whenever you are able to provide something, give them their rights by any means, even if they do not know it is from you. You send it to them and say, “This is money that belongs to you with [someone].” You tell your agent to give it to them. You say to them, “This is money that belongs to you with a person who ordered me to deliver it to you,” and praise be to Allah. As for those you do not know, you give it in charity on their behalf, with the intention that it is for them. If so-and-so is owed one hundred, and another is owed a thousand, and another is owed two thousand, and you do not know them, you give it to the poor with the intention that it is for them. As for those you do know, you send it to them, even in a way that does not reveal it is from you. You arrange for a person to give it to them and say, “This is the son of a man who admits that you have money with him, and this is your money that he gave me to give to you.” Yes.