My friend is in a lot of debt and has asked to borrow some money from me. As he is genuinely in need, I would like to give zakāt to him but tell him it is a loan, although my intention is not to take the money back from him. Is this permissible?

Answer:

Yes, it is permissible to give zakāt to someone and tell them that it is a loan, provided that your fixed intention is that it is zakāt and that you will not ask for it back.[1]

[1] قال ابن نجيم: ولم يشترط المصنف رحمه الله علم الآخذ بما يأخذه أنه زكاة للإشارة إلى أنه ليس بشرط، وفيه اختلاف والأصح كما في المبتغى والقنية أن من أعطى مسكينا دراهم وسماها هبة أو قرضا ونوى الزكاة فإنها تجزئه (البحر الرائق: 2/228)