What is the ruling on Zakat al-Fitr that was not delivered to its rightful recipient after its owner set it aside at the appointed time and handed it over to someone to deliver it, and is the one entrusted with delivering it sinful for his delay in doing so?

If the agent appointed by his friend to pay zakat al-Fitr intentionally delayed its disbursement until after the Eid prayer, despite being able to do so, he has committed a forbidden act and must repent.

However, if he could not find anyone to give it to before the prayer, he is excused and must pay it to whomever he finds after the prayer. If he was negligent in its performance, he must repent, but there is no expiation required of him.

As long as he is upholding the trust, he must give it to the first poor person he finds, or return it to the principal so he can disburse it himself.

It is not permissible to disburse zakat after the Eid prayer except for a valid excuse, such as not having anything to give, or not finding anyone to give it to, or not knowing about Eid until a late time, or some people relying on others for its disbursement.

The principal has the right to dismiss the agent, and the agent has the right to dismiss himself.