Is it permissible to donate stolen money with the intention of returning the reward to its owner, instead of directly returning the stolen money to him, knowing that the thief has repented and is ashamed to face the one from whom it was stolen?

Repentance from theft and similar acts requires restoring the usurped rights to their owners, or seeking their forgiveness. It is not a condition to inform them when returning the money; rather, it suffices to deliver it by any means. Donating the rights as charity on behalf of their owners is permissible only when it is impossible to reach them. However, if it is possible to reach them, then donating it as charity on their behalf is not sufficient; rather, it is obligatory to deliver it to them.