Paying Zakah to its recipients or giving it to the ruler

A: It is Mustahab (desirable) for a person to distribute Zakah money themselves to the qualified recipients such as the poor and other categories mentioned in Allah's Saying (Exalted be He): As-Sadaqât (here it means Zakât) are only for the Fuqarâ’ (poor), and the Masâkin (needy) and those employed to collect (the funds), and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islâm), and to free the captives, and for those in debt, and for Allâh’s Cause, and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything) Yet, if the ruler levies it; it is permissible to hand it over by means of fulfilling the pledge of hearing and obedience in Ma`ruf (that which is judged as good, beneficial, or fitting by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect). Accordingly, a person is acquitted of the obligation if the ruler is Muslim.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.