Is it obligatory to dispose of medical instruments taken from a public hospital ten years ago, feeling guilty, and what should one do if returning them is impossible?

Unlawfully consuming people's wealth is forbidden by Islamic law, and this includes consuming public funds. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, warned against it by saying: "Indeed, there are men who delve into Allah's wealth without right, and for them is the Fire on the Day of Resurrection." Whoever takes private or public property without right must repent to Allah and return it to its owner or repay its value. If it is impossible to return it to its private owner or their heirs, or to the public entity due to the injustice of those in charge of it, then it must be given to charitable causes, such as the poor and the needy.

Accordingly, one must repent to Allah and return the medical tools or their value to the aforementioned hospital or the supervising authority if it is trustworthy. They can be returned in a discreet manner, such as sending them by mail without identifying the sender. If the entity is not trustworthy, then those tools must be given to a charitable organization, such as charitable clinics.