Is it permissible to pay the zakah of money in the form of goods?

Question:
Is it permissible for me to buy items such as clothing and the like for relatives, the poor, and those in need from the zakah of money?

Answer:
The default is that the zakah of money is paid in money: the zakah of dirhams is paid in dirhams, the zakah of livestock in livestock, and the zakah of fruits and grains in them. This is the default. If paying goods in place of money, or paying necessities in place of money, is in the interest of the poor person and the one entitled to the zakah, then there is nothing wrong with it, if Allah wills. So if the zakah of money becomes obligatory on him, and he wants to pay clothing, food, or what the poor person needs for his home in its place, there is nothing wrong with that, if this is better for the poor person, or if the poor person is not good at managing the dirhams—if you gave them to him, he might lose them—and the one paying the zakah wants to benefit him by buying his necessities, such as food or clothing, then there is nothing wrong with that. The consideration is what is best for the poor person. Yes.