Someone stole money long ago and then repented; what should he do?
Short answer
He must return the money to its owner or get it to him in a way that ensures the right returns, and it does not suffice to give it in charity on his behalf as long as the owner is known and it is possible to reach him.
Evidence and explanation
The Shaykh stated the obligation of returning the money to its owner by any means that gets the right to him.
Scholar referenced
This editorial summary is based on the original source linked below and is not presented as a verbatim quotation from the scholar.
From the text of the answer (Arabic, with an English translation)
Original answer — Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn Baz
المال المسروق يرد لصاحبه — نشرت في جريدة (البلاد)، العدد: ١٥٢٩٣، وتاريخ ٢٣/١/١٤١٩هـ، (مجموع فتاوى ومقالات الشيخ ابن باز ٢٢/٤٠٥).- Question
«فضيلة الشيخ: هنا من يقول: عندما كنت صغيرًا في الرابعة عشرة من عمري، كان يزور والدي رحمه الله قريب له من دولة أخرى، وكنت أقوم بسرقة بعض نقوده من عملة بلاده، وأقوم بصرفها من مؤسسات الصرافة، ثم أتصرف بها، ولكني بعدما كبرت ندمت على عملي غاية الندم، فعزمت على التوبة، ولكن ماذا يلزمني؟ هل أعيد ما سرقت من نقود إلى صاحبها؟ أم يجوز لي»
English translation (unreviewed): Your eminence: here is one who says: When I was young, fourteen years old, a relative of my late father from another country used to visit him, and I used to steal some of his money in the currency of his country and exchange it at exchange offices and then spend it. But when I grew up I regretted my deed deeply and resolved to repent. What is required of me? Do I return the money I stole to its owner? Or is it permissible for me ...
(excerpt from the question)
- From the text of the answer
«يجب عليك أن تردها إلى صاحبها بأي طريق يوصلها إليه، وليس لك التصرف فيها. وبالله التوفيق [١] .»
English translation (unreviewed): You must return it to its owner by any means that gets it to him, and you may not dispose of it. And with Allah is success [1].
The Arabic excerpts matched the original page word for word by an automated check and have not had human scholarly review. The English translations are unreviewed translations made for this site; they are not an approved Shari‘ah translation. Rely on the Arabic original.
Source
Stolen money is returned to its owner
Title of the original page (Arabic): المال المسروق يرد لصاحبه
Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn Baz, may Allah have mercy on him