What is the ruling on giving money to the poor out of fear that it will be used for unlawful things, and is it better to give them food instead of money?

The basic principle in Muslim affairs is to assume their safety and soundness. Therefore, it is permissible to give charity to a poor person unless the giver is certain that the poor person will spend it on something unlawful.

However, if one is certain that the poor person will spend it on something forbidden, then it is not permissible to aid him in disobedience. In such a case, one can give him food instead of money, or give the money to his wife or adult children, or appoint him as an agent to purchase his necessities from the zakat.