Repented From Stealing But Unable to Return Stolen Property
Question

                I am a nineteen-year-old girl. I had the habit of stealing when I was fourteen years old, and this matter is tormenting me a great deal now, after repenting, because I know that my repentance will not be accepted unless I give back to the people what is rightfully theirs, but I do not have enough money to do that. What should I do? I hope that you will help me so that my repentance will be accepted.
Praise be to Allah.
    
    Firstly: You should realize that the mercy of Allah is greater than anyone 
    can imagine. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

    
    
    “... and My Mercy embraces all things.”

    
    [al-A’raf 7:156] 

    
    And it was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that 
    the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 
    “Allah has one hundred degrees of mercy, of which He sent down one among the 
    jinn, mankind, the animals and the vermin, by virtue of which they show 
    compassion and mercy to one another, and the wild animal shows compassion to 
    its young. But Allah has kept behind ninety-nine degrees of mercy by virtue 
    of which He will have mercy on His slaves on the Day of Resurrection.” 
    Narrated by Muslim, 2752. 

    
    A person repented from killing one hundred souls, as was narrated in the 
    saheeh hadeeth (authentic narration) from the Messenger of Allah (peace and 
    blessings of Allah be upon him) (narrated by Muslim, 2766), and stealing is 
    not more serious than killing. So congratulations for your repenting and 
    turning to Allah. 

    
    Secondly: The scholars stated that there are three conditions for 
    repentance: giving up the sin, regretting what is past, and resolving not to 
    go back to it. 

    
    You should understand that rights are of two types: the rights of Allah and 
    the rights of other people. The rights of Allah are waived when one repents, 
    except in the case of financial dues such as zakah (poor-due), kaffarah 
    (expiation) and vows – according to the correct opinion. 

    
    See Rawdat al-Talibeen, 11/246; Kashshaf al-Qina’, 2/257. 

    
    With regard to the rights of other people, the scholars added a fourth 
    condition to repentance, which is that people’s rights should be restored to 
    them, and that repentance is not sufficient to waive any of the rights owed 
    to others, rather the rights of the one who has been wronged must be 
    restored. 

    
    This was mentioned by Ibn Qudamah, al-Nawawi, Ibn al-Qayyim, Ibn Hajar and 
    others. See: al-Mughni, 14/193; Rawdat al-Talibeen, 
    11/245-246; Madarij al-Salikeen, 1/396; Fath al-Bari, 11/104. 

    
    Thirdly:  What you mention about not being able to return the money is no 
    justification for taking this matter lightly. Try to collect the money from 
    halal (lawful) sources such as gifts, work that is Islamically acceptable, 
    and so on. Allah will help you with that if He knows that you are sincere, 
    as He says (interpretation of the meaning): 

    
    
    “And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for 
    him to get out (from every difficulty).

    
    And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine.”

    
    [al-Talaq 65:2-3] 

    
    Then give this money to its rightful owner and tell them frankly, if that 
    will not cause embarrassment or lead to harmful consequences; if being frank 
    will cause too much embarrassment, then you can give it to them in a way 
    that will not cause any trouble between you and them. See question no.
    
    
    
    45016. 

    
    If you cannot return the money because the amount is too great and you 
    cannot afford it, then you can ask the owners to forgive you. Seek the help 
    of Allah in this and put your trust in Him. 

    
    
    “And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him.”

    
    [al-Talaq 65:3] 

    
    If you cannot do that either because you do not know who the owner is, for 
    example, then we hope that Allah will forgive you. 

    
    Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: If the sin has to do with 
    financial duties, such as withholding zakah, seizing property by force and 
    crimes against people’s wealth, then as well as that (repentance) the duty 
    must also be discharged, such as paying zakah, returning people’s wealth to 
    them if it is still present or paying them the equivalent otherwise, or 
    asking the person to whom it is owed to let him off. If the person has died, 
    then it should be given to his heir; if he does not have an heir or he 
    cannot be found, then the matter should be referred to a qadi (judge) of 
    good character.  

    
    If this is not possible, then it should be given in charity to the poor with 
    the intention of also paying it back if he (the one who took it) finds him; 
    if he is poor then he should have the intention of paying it back if he can. 
    If he dies before he can pay it back, then there is the hope that Allah will 
    forgive him by His grace. 

    
    
    Rawdat al-Talibeen, 
    11/246. 

    
    And Allah is the Source of strength.