Did ‘Uthmaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) left the payment of zakaah to the people?
Question

                Is it true that ‘Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) left payment of zakaah to the people? Why?.
Praise be to Allah.
    It is proven that ‘Uthmaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) 
    said: “This is the month of your zakaah, so whoever owes a debt, let him pay 
    off his debt and then pay zakaah on what is left of his wealth.” Narrated by 
    al-Bayhaqi in al-Sunan al-Kubra with a saheeh isnaad, as stated by 
    al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) in al-Majmoo’. 

    The fuqaha’ quoted this as evidence that a man may pay the 
    zakaah on his hidden wealth himself. 

    It says in al-Muhadhdhab: It is permissible for the 
    owner of the wealth to distribute the zakaah of his hidden wealth himself, 
    which is gold, silver, trade goods and buried treasure, because of the 
    report narrated from ‘Uthmaan (may Allaah be pleased with him). 

    Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: al-Shaafa’i 
    and his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) said: The owner may 
    distribute the zakaah of his hidden wealth himself, and there is no 
    difference of scholarly opinion on this point. Our companions narrated that 
    there was consensus among the Muslims. 

    Hidden wealth refers to gold, silver, buried treasure, trade 
    goods and zakaat al-fitr. 

    Visible wealth refers to crops, livestock, fruits and 
    minerals. As to whether it is permissible for him to distribute this zakaah 
    himself, there are two well known views, the more sound of which is the 
    recent view, that it is permissible. The older view is that it is not 
    permissible and he must give the zakaah to the ruler or his deputy. End 
    quote from al-Majmoo’ (6/136). 

    It says in Kashshaaf al-Qinaa’ (2/258): It is 
    mustahabb for a person to distribute his zakaah and zakaat al-fitrah 
    himself, so long as he is trustworthy. That is better than giving it to a 
    just ruler, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):  

    “If you disclose your Sadaqaat (almsgiving), it is well”

    [al-Baqarah 2:271]

    but he should make sure that it will reach those who are 
    entitled to it, and no distinction is made between hidden and visible 
    wealth. End quote. 

    Conclusion: 

    This verse, the words of ‘Uthmaan and his companions’ 
    approval all indicate that it is permissible for a person to pay his zakaah 
    himself. 

    And Allaah knows best.