for me to devote myself to the study of the religion.” We would answer, “We will give you what covers your needs while you pursue knowledge.” This underscores the nobility of knowledge and of dedicating oneself to it.

Eighth: “the wayfarer” (at-Tawbah 9:60). This is the eighth category of those entitled to zakah. The wayfarer is a traveler whose journey has been interrupted and whose funds have run out, leaving him without the means to reach his home. He is not classed among the poor or the needy, for he is well-off in his own land; his shortage is only temporary, occurring in the course of travel. He is therefore given whatever will enable him to return home, even if he is wealthy. He is called “son of the road” because of his constant association with travel, just as waterfowl are called “sons of the water” because they frequent it and alight upon it.

These are the eight categories, and zakah may not be spent on anyone outside them. It is impermissible to allocate zakah funds for building mosques, repairing roads, constructing schools, or other charitable projects, for Allah has mentioned these categories in a restrictive form, saying, “Indeed, alms are only for…” (at-Tawbah 9:60). The particle innamā (“only”) denotes limitation, affirming the ruling for the mentioned groups and negating it for all others. Were we to allow zakah for every good cause, the benefit of this restriction would be lost. Such projects—building mosques, repairing roads, erecting schools, and the like—should be financed through other avenues of righteousness: voluntary charity and donations.

This concludes the third pillar of Islam that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned to Gabriel—upon him be peace—in the well-known long hadith.