Giving food to fasting people to break the fast using zakaah funds

Giving food to fasting people to break the fast using zakaah funds








Question
Is it permissible for me to bring poor and needy people together and give them food to break the fast in Ramadan, using zakaah funds?.
Answer
Praise be to Allaah. It is not permissible to do that, because what is required when giving zakaah to the poor and needy is to give them possession of the zakaah. So they should be given the money, which they may then dispose of according to what they think is best. This is indicated by the verse in which Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“As-Sadaqaat (here it means Zakaah) are only for the Fuqaraa’ (poor), and Al‑Masaakeen (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allaah’s Cause (i.e. for Mujaahidoon — those fighting in a holy battle), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allaah. And Allaah is All-Knower, All-Wise”
[al-Tawbah 9:60]
The first four categories mentioned – the poor (fuqara’ and masaakeen), those employed to collect (the funds) and those whose hearts are inclined towards Islam – are the ones to whom zakaah belongs. So it is essential that they be given possession of it, i.e., the zakaah should be given to them and they should be left to do what they want with it. End quote from Liqa’ al-Baab al-Maftooh by Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him).
Al-Mardaawi al-Hanbali said in al-Insaaf (3/234): It is stipulated when paying zakaah that the recipient be given possession of, so it is not permissible to give the poor lunch or dinner (using zakaah funds). End quote.
And Allah knows best.
Source: Islam Q&A