Paying Zakah of the goods i.e. the books and school equipment

Q: Some of my friends do business in religious books and school equipment, and they wanted me to ask you about the permissibility of paying Zakah (obligatory charity) from the goods (i.e. the books and school equipment) to poor students and knowledge seekers who can not afford them, because of the lack of currency in such bookshops and the accumulation of these goods for a year or more. Please provide me with the answer to this question. May Allah safeguard you! (Part No. 8; Page No. 68

A: It is permissible to pay the Zakah of trade goods from them depending on their value. This is in agreement with the more correct of the two scholarly opinions and the general evidence in this regard. In addition, Zakah is a means of support from the rich to the poor, so they do not have to give support with what they do not have.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.