The ruling on a poor person refusing to take zakah.

A listener says, "I am a Sudanese resident in the Kingdom. I believe I have a share in the zakah, but I refuse to take it. What is the ruling?"
Answer: This depends on the benefits that are assessed. If he sees that leaving this money from the zakah is better for him, and there is a benefit for him in that, then there is no harm. That is, he looks at what is most beneficial. It is not obligatory for him to take from the zakah if he has what suffices his needs, or if another zakah has become available to him from other sources. And the one from whom he would take the zakah might, for example, harm him, or condescend to him, or hurt him, or something similar. If he leaves it for clear and evident reasons, then there is no harm. The point is that he looks at what is most beneficial: whether to take from this source or not. He looks at what is most beneficial for his religion, his reputation, and for not hurting the one giving it to him, or the one who has a right over him, or something similar. ... He should seek out what is most beneficial; he should seek out what is most beneficial.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good. He says, "He fears that it will make him lazy and idle?"
The Shaykh: If he fears that, he should leave it and work hard. If he is able to work and earn, he should work and earn, so that he may attain what suffices him and become independent of charity and zakah. If he has the ability, it is obligatory for him to work and strive, and not to resort to charity. Rather, he should work until he attains his needs. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good and do you good.