“Those in debt” (al-gharimīn): This includes individuals who incur liabilities while reconciling people—when peace depends on the payment of money, they are given zakah to carry out this lofty, communal task, even if they themselves are affluent.
It likewise covers debtors upon whom people’s claims have piled up and who are unable to settle them; they too receive zakah to clear what they owe.

“In the path of Allah” refers to spending it in support of combatants: providing them with provisions, mounts, weapons, and everything that enables their struggle.
Part of this striving is to free oneself for the pursuit of sacred knowledge and to devote one’s time wholly to it.

“And the wayfarer”—the traveler who has been cut off from his resources while away from home; he is helped from zakah so that he may continue his journey.

Allah, exalted is He, has apportioned zakah among these categories in keeping with His perfect wisdom and knowledge, placing everything in its proper slot. Meeting people’s needs and upholding beneficial public interests are collective obligations upon the Muslim community. For those of means, paying zakah is an expression of gratitude to Allah for the blessing of wealth; it purifies them and their property, brings increase and blessing, adorns them with the traits of the righteous, and protects them from the vices of the wicked.