The ruling on taking an amount from zakah and distributing it without the permission of the one who pays it

Question:
May Allah reward you. He says: This man used to pay the zakah of his wealth in Ramadan, and I was with him in that. However, he sometimes gave it to people who did not need zakah. So I would withhold an amount from the zakah and distribute it according to my own knowledge, out of my ignorance regarding the need to seek his opinion on this matter. What is obligatory for me now regarding these zakah payments? I do not know the amount, by Allah, except approximately, as years have passed. I have been careful in recent years to stay away from this matter entirely. Do I have to pay out that zakah again from my account? I should mention that when I distributed it previously, I gave it to people I knew, to myself, and to my family, out of ignorance and without any concern on my part, when Satan took advantage. May Allah protect us and you from his evil.

Answer:
Distributing zakah on behalf of others is not permissible without their permission, because zakah is an act of worship that requires intention when it is paid out. Therefore, the person for whom it is obligatory must appoint someone to act as his agent in distributing it. You did not appoint anyone for this task. Furthermore, you mentioned that you took some for yourself and your relatives, which is not permissible. In any case, what is obligatory for you is to return the amount to the agent of this person who made this mistake. You should return the amount to his legal agent and inform him that this was zakah that was in his possession, and that you distributed it without the owner's permission. He will then handle this matter on behalf of the one who appointed him.