Preferences among the Recipients of Zakat

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the case of my gifts, for keeping good relations, to my friends and how I should do it. He (the Imam) said, ‘Give it to them on the basis of their migration to religion,…

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), if in paying Zakat priorities, such as those asking and those not asking for help can be given preference among beneficiaries. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, those beneficiaries who do not…

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said, ‘Zakat for animals with hooves and Zakat of the cloven-footed ones are given to Muslims who maintain good-looking style but Zakat of gold, silver, and whatever is measured by measuring…

“I once asked abu Ibrahim (a.s.), about a man who is required to pay Zakat in the amount of one thousand dirham. He distributes it and thinks to give a certain amount to a certain person but then for some reason he gives…

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Once something was brought to the Holy prophet and he distributed it among the people of al-Suffah (the platform); but it was not enough and he gave it to special ones among…

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, or abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about a man who keeps something for someone then for some reason gives it to someone else, has said, ‘It is not harmful.’”