Mentioning the eight categories in the verse is to clarify the channels of distribution, not to establish an order
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Q: Does the text of the verse regarding the distribution of zakah specify an order, or does it allow for choice?
A: The mention of the categories in the verse is not to establish an order, but rather to clarify the channels of distribution. So if one begins with the mujahideen or those in debt, there is no harm. Rather, it is better to consider what is most beneficial in the Shari'ah, so the one giving zakah should prioritize those whom the evidence of the Shari'ah indicates should be prioritized, according to his independent legal reasoning. And success is from Allah.
A: The mention of the categories in the verse is not to establish an order, but rather to clarify the channels of distribution. So if one begins with the mujahideen or those in debt, there is no harm. Rather, it is better to consider what is most beneficial in the Shari'ah, so the one giving zakah should prioritize those whom the evidence of the Shari'ah indicates should be prioritized, according to his independent legal reasoning. And success is from Allah.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.