Repentance from Stealing Money

Another message reached the program from one of the listening brothers. The sender (H) is from the Ninawa Governorate in Iraq. Our brother, in his message, provides details of part of his life. He says: In the beginning of his youth, he committed the theft of some money. He is now suffering from what his hands have done and asks for guidance if you would be so kind?
Answer: If you, O questioner, know the owner of the money you stole from him, return it to him by any means, even if you do not tell him that you stole it. Return it to him by any means, with your own hand or through someone else, along with sincere repentance, along with regret, ceasing the act, and the resolve not to return to it, and along with doing much good work. For Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, says: [Ta-Ha:82] And He, Mighty and Majestic, says: [Al-Tahrim:8] And He, Glorified and Exalted is He, says: [Al-Nur:31]. So repentance is success. As for if you do not know the person from whom you stole, you have forgotten him, or you know him but are unable to reach him, you have forgotten his location and do not know his location, then you give that money in charity. And if you add to it and give charity with the increase, that is good. Give it in charity on his behalf with the intention, you give it to some of the poor, the money you have, you give it to some of the poor with the intention on behalf of its owner, or you spend it in the construction of mosques to benefit the Muslims, or you pay it to the Afghan mujahideen. All of this is good.