Ruling on paying food and clothing in lieu of the zakah of money

Question:
Honorable Shaykh Salih, a questioner says: Is it permissible for a person to pay food, clothing, and the like in lieu of the zakah of money for children, families, and households that have no provider?

Answer:
The Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. The default is that zakah is paid in money to the needy person so that he can dispose of it according to his own interest. However, in some cases, if the recipient is not skilled in managing his own affairs, it is paid to his guardian who takes care of him and manages his affairs. If he has no guardian and is not skilled in managing his affairs, there is nothing wrong with the one paying zakah using it to buy the necessities the poor person needs from his expenses and giving them to him, to preserve it from being lost or wasted. If the benefit of paying it in goods is established, there is nothing wrong with that. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you