Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
I would like to know that when we have to pay zakat. Does it have to be in the form of cash? If we know of a person that requires specific items, such as medicine or grocery but is unable to acquire them on their own. Would it be considered zakat if we provided them with these items. We provide monthly groceries to several impoverished people, would the money spent be considered zakat if that was our intention?
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
I pray that this finds you well, and in the best of health and spirits. May Allah grant you all good and success in this life and the next.
Zakat can be given in cash, and also in other forms–such as commodities and food. The latter would be calculated at their current market value. [ Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar ]
Faraz Rabbani