Is it permissible to give workers in associations from the zakah, or a reward to encourage them in their work?

Question:
May Allah reward you. Honorable Shaykh, this questioner says: Do the workers in charitable associations deserve a reward to encourage them, knowing that the state in our country does not give them anything?

Answer:
From the zakah, no. As for giving them a voluntary gift, or from the donors, there is no harm in that; the door of voluntary giving is wider. But from the zakah, no. Allah has restricted the zakah to eight categories; we do not go beyond them, and it is not valid if it is given outside of them.