Zakaat - Rules and modern issues

Where to spend Zakaat

Almighty Allah has described 8 avenues where Zakaat can be spent.  It is mentioned in the Holy Quran:

Indeed, alms (Zakat) are meant for the poor and the indigent, and those who are deployed to collect charities and those in whose hearts the inculcation of love for Islam is aimed at. And, (moreover, spending Zakat for the) freeing of human lives (from the yoke of slavery) and removing the burden of those who are to pay debt and (those who toil hard) in the cause of Allah and the wayfarers (is true). This (all) has been prescribed by Allah, and Allah is All-Knowing, Most Wise.  Surah Tauba (9:60)

Now let us look in detail at some of these avenues so that it becomes clear where Zakaat can be spent.  If Zakaat is spent somewhere else, then it won’t be valid and has to be given again.