Q 1, 2: A man, who stole from another man long ago, wants to repent and pay back what he has stolen. However, he does not know the place where the man lives, whether he is alive or dead or even who he is. What is the ruling on this? What should the man do to save himself from Allah's punishment?How should the case be if the stealer knows the victim who died but left behind separate heirs whose location he does not know but knows only some of them? A: Theft is a major sin. Allah judged the stealer's hands to be cut. Allah (Exalted be He) said, And (as for) the male thief and the female thief, cut off (from the wrist joint) their (right) hands as a recompense for that which they committed, a punishment by way of example from Allâh. And Allâh is All-Powerful, All-Wise. However, (Part No. 22; Page No. 226

Theft is a major sin. Allah judged the stealer's hands to be cut. Allah (Exalted be He) said, And (as for) the male thief and the female thief, cut off (from the wrist joint) their (right) hands as a recompense for that which they committed, a punishment by way of example from Allâh. And Allâh is All-Powerful, All-Wise. However, (Part No. 22; Page No. 226) Allah urged repentance. He (Exalted be He) said, But whosoever repents after his crime and does righteous good deeds (by obeying Allâh), then verily, Allâh will pardon him (accept his repentance). Verily, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Repentance, generally, is of two types: Repenting of violating Allah's rights and repenting of violating people's rights. There are three conditions for the former, i.e. admitting one's sin, giving it up and regretting committing it while being determined not to commit it again.For the latter category a fourth condition is added, namely, paying back money taken unjustly to its deserving owner or seeking his forgiveness. If both are not feasible, the sinner should give the money in charity on behalf of its owner. Regarding violating people's non-monetary rights, the sinner has to seek the victim's forgiveness. If this is not feasible, the sinner has to supplicate to Allah for the victim.Given that, the man who stole money and wants to repent and pay back what he has stolen has to return the money to its deserving owner if alive or to his heirs if dead whenever possible. If the man dies while the stealer knows some of his heirs, the stealer has to give them their respective shares of the stolen money. However, if the stealer cannot know the deserving owner, he should give the money in charity on behalf of the owner. (Part No. 22; Page No. 227) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.