Is there a difference between giving zakah to a rich person whom one thought was poor, and intending to give it to a rich person who then turned out to be poor?

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, is there a difference between giving zakah to a rich person whom one thought was poor, and giving it to a rich person who then turned out to be poor?

Answer:
Yes. It turned out that he was poor, because zakah is not permissible except for a poor person. So if it is established that he is poor, it is not permissible except for a poor person. However, on the day he gave it to him, he did not intend it for a poor person; he intended it for a rich person. His intention was not valid. Yes.