Is it permissible for those from whom zakah is withheld to take from voluntary charity?

Question : It is permissible for each of these people to take from voluntary charity; because Muhammad ibn 'Ali used to drink from the water stations between Makkah and Madinah, and he said, "Only the obligatory charity is forbidden to us," and it is permissible for poor close relatives to take from bequests.

Answer : One may cite as evidence for this the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) because the one that involves purification is the obligatory charity, as Allah the Exalted said: meaning that one may take from this. Many scholars say that the obligatory charity and the recommended charity are not lawful for them. As for this report narrated from Muhammad ibn 'Ali, one must first look into its authenticity. If it is authentic, then it is his opinion, like the opinion of other scholars. If it is not authentic, then the matter is clear: these people are not prevented from drinking from water stations and the like, because they do not own them. The intention is the charity that they own. As for this, he drinks as people drink and walks, so he is not specifically designated for it and does not own it. This means that even if we say that voluntary charity is forbidden for the People of the House, something like this is not forbidden for them, because they do not own it.