It is narrated from Ata bin Yasar that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Zakat is not permissible for a wealthy person except for five types of people: first, a warrior who fights in the way of Allah; second, one who is an agent of zakat, meaning the one who collects and receives zakat; third, a debtor, that is, one who is in debt; fourth, one who buys zakat property in exchange for his own wealth; fifth, one to whom zakat comes as a gift from a needy neighbor.

Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, said: In our view, the ruling regarding the distribution of zakat is that this matter depends on the opinion of the ruler; he should give it to those types of people who are in greater need or are greater in number, as long as he deems it appropriate. Then, after a year, two years, or more, he can also give it to people of other categories. In any case, he should give preference to those in need and to numbers wherever they are. I found the scholars in my country upon this practice.

Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, said: There is no fixed share for the collector in zakat; rather, the ruler has the authority to give as much as he deems appropriate.