Is it permissible to use zakat funds to purchase what a poor person needs after assessing their situation, instead of giving it to them in cash? And can it be used to finance development projects or to pay the monthly rent for the association's headquarters?

First: The funds received by the association are divided into supererogatory charity (sadaqat mustahabbah) and obligatory zakat. The conditions for each must be adhered to.

Second: Non-obligatory charities: Their disbursement is broad, and the donor's permission for disbursement must be observed, unless the matter has been delegated to the association, or if disbursement is impossible, in which case the closest eligible recipients are considered.

Third: Obligatory zakat: It is not permissible to disburse it to categories other than the eight prescribed ones. The default is to pay it directly to the eligible recipient in cash. It is permissible to purchase what the eligible recipient needs if they are not capable of managing funds themselves or if they authorize it.

Fourth: It is not permissible to pay the rent for the association's headquarters from zakat funds. Zakat funds must be kept separate from other funds.

Fifth: Using zakat funds for developmental projects: 1. Purchasing books to educate the illiterate: This is permissible if the poor person needs them, or requests them to buy religious books, or to improve their livelihood.

2. Awareness campaigns against the harms of smoking and drugs: Zakat cannot be spent on these, and general charities suffice.

3. Projects that enable the poor to earn a living: a. It is not permissible to spend zakat on projects whose ownership does not revert to the poor but remain the property of the association, as these are not owned by the eligible recipients. b. It is permissible to disburse zakat by granting ownership of funds to the eligible recipient for them to purchase tools for a craft or capital for trade.