May one who wishes to perform Hajj be given zakah?

The answer: According to the established school of jurisprudence, this is permissible, so that he may fulfil the obligatory Hajj and Umrah, because Hajj and Umrah are included in the cause of Allah.

The second view is that it is permissible for both the obligatory and voluntary Hajj and Umrah, based on the preceding rationale.

The third view is that it is not permissible. This is the position of the three Imams, since Hajj is not obligatory for the poor person.

Eighth: The stranded wayfarer.

His statement: “Eighth: the stranded wayfarer.”

The word sabil means “road,” and ibn al-sabil means “the traveler.” He is called ibn al-sabil because he remains upon the road. One who is closely attached to something may be attributed to it as its “son,” just as they call a waterbird “the son of water.” Thus, what is meant by the wayfarer is the traveler who is continually journeying; and the intended meaning of one whose journey has been interrupted is one whose provisions have run out, so that he has nothing with which to reach his homeland.

Is the wayfarer given zakah because of his journey, or because of his need?

If you say that he is given it because of his need, someone may object: if he is given it because of his need, then he falls under the category of the poor.

The response is that he is given it because of his need, but it is not a condition that he possess no wealth.

As for the poor person, it is stipulated that he have no wealth. Therefore, we say: the wayfarer