Giving to the beggar from zakah based on the apparent situation

The questioner:
May Allah reward you. This person says: There are people who beg; some of them have a document proving their claim, if their statement is true, and some ask verbally without a document proving their claim. They claim that they have a debt and that they are poor. If their apparent condition shows that they are in need, should I give them from the zakah or not? Knowing that the Endowments Administration prohibits begging in the mosques, what is your opinion?

The Shaykh:
The person in charge acts based on the apparent situation and gives the beggar from the zakah and from other sources. As for if the beggar is lying, his sin is upon him. Otherwise, the default is that the beggar has a right, and he has a right. You do not know, so you act based on the apparent situation and give to him. As for the government prohibiting begging, that is another matter. This does not negate the right of the beggar. So you give to him based on the apparent state of his condition, and you leave the matter to Allah. Allah is the One who will hold him accountable.

The questioner:
Certainly, the children of the mosque, Shaykh, allow me.

The Shaykh:
He is given in the mosque and he is given in any place; this is the default.