then no. It was said to him: "May he give his son's wife from the Zakah?" He said: "If he does not intend by it"—something he mentioned—"there is no harm in it." As if he intended the benefit of his son. Ahmad said: "The scholars used to say regarding Zakah: It should not be used to pay off a disgrace, nor should it be used to show favoritism to a relative, nor should it be used to preserve wealth." Ahmad was asked about a man who has a relative for whom he provides from the Zakah? He said: "If he counts her among his dependents, he should not give to her." It was said to him: "He only provides her a known amount every month." He said: "Then that is sufficient for her." In general, whoever is not obligated to support, it is permissible to pay Zakah to them, and he should prioritize the needier, then the next needier. If they are equal in need, he prioritizes the one who is closer to him in kinship, then the one who is closer in neighborhood, and the more religious. However he distributes it, after placing it in the categories that Allah the Almighty has named, it is permissible. And Allah knows best.
(23) Omitted from B. (24) In A and M: "it remains".