The ruling on repenting from a major sin without the execution of the prescribed punishment on its perpetrator

Question:
Is the repentance of one who commits a major sin for which a prescribed punishment exists in Islam, such as theft or unlawful sexual intercourse, valid without the punishment being carried out against him? We ask for your guidance, along with citing the evidence from the Book and the Sunnah.

Answer:
Yes, whoever repents, Allah accepts his repentance, whether he committed unlawful sexual intercourse, or theft, or did other sinful acts; for the door of repentance is open, and praise be to Allah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: And Allah the Exalted says: [Al-Nur: 31], and He says -Exalted and Majestic is He-: [Al-Tahrim: 8]. When Ma'iz came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) repentant and remorseful, he turned away from him and did not apply the prescribed punishment to him until he insisted on demanding the punishment and repeated this several times; therefore, he ordered the punishment to be carried out on him because he repeated it. If he had repented between himself and Allah and not come forward, he would owe nothing. Whoever repents between himself and Allah with sincere repentance, he owes nothing, no prescribed punishment is required of him, and his repentance is sufficient. He should not expose himself to people or disclose his sin. Rather, as long as Allah has covered him, it is the Sunnah for him to cover himself and not come forward to demand the application of the prescribed punishment. Rather, he should ask his Lord for forgiveness, feel remorse for what has passed, and resolve not to return to it. Allah will accept his repentance . There is no need for him to disclose his sin to people or go to the courts to have the prescribed punishment applied to him. Rather, as long as he has felt remorse for what has passed, grieved over it, and sought forgiveness from his Lord for it, Allah will accept his repentance, Glorified and Exalted is He.
However, if there is a right belonging to a created being in the sin, he must give him his right. In the case of theft, he must return the money to its owner. Repentance is not sufficient in this case; rather, it is obligatory to return the money to its owner in a way that does not require him to disclose that he is a thief. He sends the money to him with some of his companions, saying: "Some of your brothers sent this to you, saying that you have money with him. This is money that some people took from you, and they asked me to deliver it to you." He does not disclose his situation, and praise be to Allah.
The point is to deliver it to its owner, and that is sufficient.

The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.