| Imam Abu Hanifa,Imam Malik | It is allowed to the imam to spend it on one category or on more than one category, if he thinks that there is need for it. | The implication of the verse requires that he
should place greater emphasis on the needy (at the time), as the purpose of
zakat is the elimination of want. Thus, the enumeration of these categories in
the verse that has been laid down, in the view of these jurists, is because of
distinguishing the categories, that is, the persons entitled to the zakat and not
their partnership in it. |