My mother is a widow, is it permissible to give her of Zakah?

Q: My mother is a widow, as her husband died some time ago. One day during the past year in 1419 A.H., someone gave her 400 riyals and told her that this money was from Zakah (obligatory charity). She took it (Part No. 8; Page No. 384) and spent it on a public interest, because she believed that she was not one of the categories of Zakah recipients. Despite the fact that she is not well-off, she does not want to open the door of taking Zakah. Now she asks, what is the ruling on what she did? Is her responsibility discharged? Is the obligation on the Zakah payer discharged? Must she pay back the money to the Zakah payer?

A: If your mother is not one of the categories of Zakah recipients, it is impermissible for her to take or dispose of Zakah. What she did is invalid and she must pay back the money to its owner to give it to deserving people.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.