Is it permissible for my indebted, insolvent friend to pay my Zakat money as a debt he owes?

The answer summarizes that granting a debtor in hardship a reprieve is commendable in Islamic law, citing the noble verse: "And if he should be in hardship, then [let there be] postponement until [a time of] ease." It also states that lending money is better than giving charity. The debtor must be granted a reprieve without making it a condition to pay zakat, and zakat is not due on this money until it is collected. Once collected, zakat should be paid for the past years or for one year.