Is it permissible for a person who has a debt to take from the zakah to pay off his debt?

Question:
I heard the questioner say: A person engaged in trade through deferred sales and purchases. After a period, he learned that there was riba (usury or interest) in those transactions. Debts accumulated on him, then he repented from those riba transactions. All his assets were sold, but they did not cover the debt. Is it permissible for him to take from the zakah of wealth to pay off what he owes? Please inform us; may Allah reward you.

Answer:
He must repent to Allah for what he did. He must repent from the riba. Perhaps this calamity is among the consequences of his ugly deeds, among the consequences of his negligence regarding riba. It is obligatory for him to repent to Allah and to be cautious of returning to riba transactions. If he is a debtor who is currently unable to pay, charity becomes permissible for him; because the debtor is one of the categories of zakah. If he is unable to pay off the debt, zakah becomes permissible for him to pay off his debt. Yes.