Repentance for stealing a sheep and giving its value in charity

The questioner:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. The questioner says: A few years ago, I stole a sheep from a flock of sheep that had no shepherd with it, but its tent was not far away. I have repented and searched.

The Shaykh:
It was not far, and there was no shepherd with it; the tent was right there. Yes.

The questioner:
I repented and searched for the shepherd or the owner of the sheep, but I did not find him. So I assessed the value of the sheep and gave it in charity on behalf of its owner. However, I have heard that the thief must pay double the value of what he stole. What is obligatory for me? Do I have to pay again?

The Shaykh:
No, no. What you paid has a blessing, if Allah wills. But if the shepherd comes to you, or you find out who he is, the guarantee is not dropped from you. You give it to him, or you tell him, "I gave it in charity." If the charity is completed for him, there is no harm. If it is not completed for him and he wants the price of his sheep, the charity becomes yours. Yes.