ʿAbd Allah ibn Abi Awfa reported that whenever a group came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ bringing their charity, he would say, “O Allah, bless them.” (Agreed upon.)

If a needy person customarily accepts zakah, it should be handed to him without saying, “This is zakah,” so as not to embarrass him. But if he is in need and not accustomed to taking zakah, he should be informed that it is zakah.

It is preferable to distribute the zakah of each kind of wealth in the land where that wealth is located, dividing it among the poor of that locality. It is, however, permissible to transfer it elsewhere for a legitimate sharʿi benefit—such as needy relatives living in another place, or recipients there who are in greater need than those at home. Charities were in fact brought to the Prophet ﷺ in Madinah, and he would apportion them among the poor of the Emigrants and the Helpers.

The Muslim ruler is obliged to dispatch collectors (sāʿis) shortly before zakah falls due, to receive the zakah of visible assets such as freely grazing livestock, crops, and fruits. This was the practice of the Prophet ﷺ, of the caliphs after him, and of the Muslim community throughout history. Some people would fail to pay zakah if left to themselves, and others are unaware that it is obligatory; sending the collectors averts this danger. Their deployment also eases matters for the people and assists them in fulfilling their duty.