Informing the poor person that the money is zakah, not a gift

The questioner : Well, I have been giving the zakah on my gold to my husband’s sister every year because of her great need for money.

The Shaykh : And further, is your sister’s husband poor?

The questioner : My husband’s sister.

The Shaykh : I am saying my wife’s sister is poor.

The questioner : Yes, very poor.

The Shaykh : There is no harm in telling her that it is zakah, provided she does not habitually take zakah.

The questioner : If she is what?

The Shaykh : If she does not habitually take zakah, then tell her that it is zakah.

The questioner : No, she does not mean... I mean, if I tell her it is zakah, she will take it.

The Shaykh : The important thing is that she does not understand it to be a gift.

The questioner : Yes, well, if I give the zakah in gold, meaning I buy gold and give the zakah, do I still have to inform her that it is zakah?

The Shaykh : No, a poor person whose custom is to take zakah does not need to be informed.

The questioner : I mean, give it to her and consider it a gift.

The Shaykh : Just give it to him and that is it.

The questioner : I do not tell her it is a gift or anything; no, consider it a gift inside.

The Shaykh : No, it is not permissible, my son, to make it a gift. No, it is not permissible.

The questioner : He must inform her, meaning.

The Shaykh : Inform her if she thinks it is a gift; inform her that it is zakah.

The presenter : Okay.

The questioner : Thank you. That is enough, goodbye.

The Shaykh : With peace.