Is it permissible for an association to allocate a portion of zakat funds as wages for its employees? Is it permissible to delay the disbursement of zakat for organizational reasons or to verify cases? Must zakat be paid in cash, or can it be in the form of projects or equipment?

Charitable work is among the best acts of drawing near to Allah, due to the benefit it brings to Muslims. It has been reported that the most beloved of people to Allah are those most beneficial to people. It is not permissible for workers in charitable organizations to take zakat because they are not among "those employed to collect it" whom the Imam appoints. The default for giving out zakat is immediately, but it is permissible to delay it for a valid reason, such as verifying the eligibility of the recipients. It is not permissible to pay zakat in the form of renovating a dwelling, purchasing equipment, or food supplies; rather, it must be paid in cash to the eligible recipient so that he may dispose of it according to his needs.