I say, and with God's success: It is not only necessary for you to give it from the category it belongs to, or only from money, but you are allowed to give it from anything of value. For example, a female employee who owns gold may give the value of her zakat in cash, and likewise, owners of various goods may give the value of their zakat in books, food, clothing, cars, or anything else that has a value recognized by Islamic law and custom. This is because the purpose of giving zakat to the poor is to provide sustenance to them, and both the item and its value are equivalent in this regard. There is no evidence preventing the payment of value. This is supported by the Prophet's (peace be upon him) words to Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) when he sent him to Yemen: "Take wheat from wheat, sheep from sheep, camels from camels, and cows from cows." Despite this explicit specification from him (peace be upon him), Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) said to the people of Yemen: "Bring me the value of fine or coarse clothing for the charity instead of barley," knowing that the aim is to meet the needs of the poor, not the specific items themselves. Therefore, he (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "For it is easier for you and better for the immigrants in Medina," and the Prophet (peace be upon him) approved of that. If it were contrary to the obligatory law, he would not have approved it and would have commanded him to return it to its owners and prohibited him from doing so. As mentioned in 'Umdat al-Ri'ayah 1: 276, and Allah knows best.