Stolen money is returned to its owner
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
The questioner: Here is someone who says: When I was young, fourteen years old, a relative of my father (may Allah have mercy on him) from another country used to visit us. I used to steal some of his money in his country's currency, exchange it at currency exchange houses, and then spend it. But after I grew up, I regretted my action to the utmost degree, so I resolved to repent. However, what is required of me? Do I have to return the money I stole to its owner? Or is it permissible for me to give it in charity in the causes of good, intending the reward for him, knowing that he is still alive?
Answer:
It is obligatory for you to return it to its owner by any means that will reach him, and you have no right to dispose of it. And success is from Allah.
The questioner: Here is someone who says: When I was young, fourteen years old, a relative of my father (may Allah have mercy on him) from another country used to visit us. I used to steal some of his money in his country's currency, exchange it at currency exchange houses, and then spend it. But after I grew up, I regretted my action to the utmost degree, so I resolved to repent. However, what is required of me? Do I have to return the money I stole to its owner? Or is it permissible for me to give it in charity in the causes of good, intending the reward for him, knowing that he is still alive?
Answer:
It is obligatory for you to return it to its owner by any means that will reach him, and you have no right to dispose of it. And success is from Allah.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.