Wa-alaykum as-salamu wa-rahmatullah wa-barakatuh

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

Almighty Allah says what means :

“Indeed, [prescribed] charitable offerings are only [to be given] to the poor and the indigent, and to those who work on [administering] it, and to those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to [free] those in bondage, and to the debt-ridden, and for the cause of God, and to the wayfarer. [This is] an obligation from God. And God is all-knowing, all-wise.” (At-Tawbah 9:60)

So, if your friend is poor and needs money, then he falls under one of these categories and you may give him out of the zakah-charity. You do not have to tell him about the reality of this money.

Almighty Allah knows best.