Is it permissible for my indebted, insolvent friend to pay my Zakat money as a debt he owes?

The answer summarizes that granting a debtor in hardship a reprieve is commendable in Islamic law, citing the noble verse: "And if he should be in hardship, then [let there be] postponement until [a time of] ease." It also states that lending money is better than giving charity. The debtor must be granted a reprieve without making it a condition to pay zakat (definition), and zakat is not due on this money until it is collected. Once collected, zakat should be paid for the past years or for one year.