The Legitimacy of Repentance and Concealment for One Who Has Committed Major Sins

This is a message received by the program from our brother, the listener, Mr. 'Umar al-Sayyid, an Egyptian national working in Kuwait. He says in his message, and at its beginning: In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. To our distinguished scholars, I present to you these two questions, hoping that Allah will guide us to His straight path:
First question: What is the ruling in Islam regarding one who commits unlawful sexual intercourse, or drinks intoxicants, or steals in a society that does not apply the Shari'ah, and wishes to repent to Allah? Does his repentance, without the hudud being carried out against him in this world, necessitate punishment in the Hereafter? Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good?
Answer: If a Muslim commits unlawful sexual intercourse, or steals, or drinks intoxicants, or commits any of these sins, then it is obligatory for him to repent to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), and then to conceal himself with His concealment , even if he is in a land that enforces the fixed punishments. He is not required to expose himself or bring his case to the judge. No, it is obligatory for him to repent to Allah, turn back to Him, feel remorse for his past bad deeds, and make a sincere resolve not to return to it, along with abandoning and leaving this thing out of reverence for Allah and desire for His reward (Glorified and Exalted is He). And Allah accepts the repentance of those who repent. He is not required to do anything beyond that, nor is he required to bring his case to the judges or to the authorities so that they may enforce the punishment. No, even if he is in a land that enforces the fixed punishments. Rather, he should conceal himself with the concealment of Allah, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered Ma'iz to conceal himself with the concealment of Allah when he came to him to confess.
So the point is that it is obligatory for the believer, if he commits a heinous crime; and likewise for the believing woman, if she commits unlawful sexual intercourse, or steals, or drinks intoxicants, or other than this from among the sins, it is obligatory for her to repent to Allah, and to return to Him, and to feel remorse for her past bad deeds, and to abandon them, and to have a sincere resolve not to return to them. If she is sincere in that, Allah will accept her repentance, as Allah, the Exalted, said: [Surat al-Nur: 31] And He, the Exalted, said: [Surat al-Tahrim: 8] This indicates to us that repentance brings about forgiveness and entry into Paradise, for one who repents sincerely. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: , and he said: . So the Muslim should fear Allah, Mighty and Majestic, always, and should account for himself, and likewise the Muslim woman should fear Allah always and account for herself in all sins, then hasten and rush to remorse, sincere repentance by abandoning the sin and leaving it out of fear of Allah and reverence for Him, and remorse for what has passed of it, and a sincere resolve not to return to it.
And if there are injustices, such that he has wronged someone in his blood, or in his wealth, or in his skin, or in his honor, then it is obligatory to hasten to seek pardon from that, or to give him his right. And repentance from the right of the created being is not completed except by that, either by giving him his right, or by seeking his pardon, and by that repentance is achieved. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.