The Ruling on Giving Zakah in the Form of Foodstuffs to the Charitable Association

The questioner:
Also, you ask: Is it valid to give zakah in the form of foodstuffs to the charitable association?

The Shaykh:
Zakah is given to the poor hand to hand. You pay it to the poor and the needy households. There is no need to go to the association and lengthen the path. Rather, you pay it to the needy poor in their hands and in their homes.

The questioner:
If, may Allah preserve you, the provider for this poor family is not good in his disposal of the funds, is it permissible for the one giving zakah to dispose of it by purchasing items and the like?

The Shaykh:
If it is established that the one in charge of the poor and the needy family is playing with the money, then the one giving zakah may purchase necessities for the poor and the people of the needy household, such as food, clothing, or otherwise, and give them to them, to ensure that it reaches them and that they benefit from it. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah preserve you,