Ruling on giving zakah before its due date and on a regular basis to specific poor people

Question:
A female listener (M. N. 'A.) from Kuwait sent a message asking: Is it permissible to give zakah before its due date, one or two months early? And is it valid to make it a regular payment to some of the needy on a permanent basis, especially since they are still in need of it?

Answer:
Yes, there is no harm in giving zakah before its due date for a legitimate Shari'ah interest. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) hastened the zakah of his uncle al-Abbas before its due date. So if a person gives zakah before its due time because there are poor people in need, he hastens the zakah for them, or for mujahideen, or for poor relatives whose need is severe, or something similar, all of this is permissible. In fact, it is prescribed, and there is much good in it.
It is also permissible for zakah to be a regular payment to some of the needy, where the zakah payer gives it to them every year, if he knows their need and that their need is continuous. He gives it to them every year as an annual custom, because he knows their need and that they are among those entitled to zakah. There is no harm in that; in fact, this is appropriate, and the payer is rewarded if he seeks out the needs of his poor brothers and gives it to them every year because of their need and poverty, until the need is removed. Yes.

The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.