Paying Zakat al-Fitr in Kind or Cash

Question:
The questioner, Nasser, asks: If I am afraid that a person will buy prohibited items, such as toys or other forbidden things, with the zakat money, should I buy household necessities for him instead?

Answer:
This varies according to the scholarly disagreement regarding the payment of trade goods. If the recipient is someone whose guardianship is secure, or if the children are under secure guardianship, it is permissible to give them trade goods, or to give them food worth the value of the gold and silver they possess, according to the correct view. However, one must not be unjust; it is obligatory to give them the value of the obligation or more, so that one does not become lax. If one fears that they will play with the money, it is permissible to give them trade goods such as grains, dates, or clothing, according to the correct view. This is in the category of doing good to them, as they may be minors or young women who are not under proper control.