Tafsir Ibn Kathir -> Surah At-Taubah -> Ibn As-Sabil (Wayfarer)

Ibn As-Sabil is a term used for the needy traveler in a land, where he does not have what helps him continue his trip. This type has a share in the Zakah for what suffices him to reach his destination, even if he had money there. The same is true for whoever intends to travel from his area but does not have enough money. This type also has a share in the Zakah money to suffice for his trip and back. This is proven in the Ayah as well as the following Hadith. Imams Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah recorded that Ma`mar said that Zayd bin Aslam said that `Ata' bin Yasar said that Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri said that the Messenger of Allah said,

«لَا تَحِلُّ الصَّدَقَةُ لِغَنِيَ إِلَّا لِخَمْسَةٍ: لِعَامِلٍ عَلَيْهَا، أَوْ رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَاهَا بِمَالِهِ، أَوْ غَارِمٍ، أَوْ غَازٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ، أَوْ مِسْكِينٍ تُصُدِّقَ عَلَيْهِ مِنْهَا فَأَهْدَى لِغَنِي»

(Sadaqah is not rightful for a wealthy person except in five cases: those employed to collect it, one who bought a charity item with his money, a Gharim (debtor), a fighter in the cause of Allah, or a poor man who gets a part of the Zakah so he gives it as a gift to a rich man.) Allah's statement,

﴿فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ﴾

(a duty imposed by Allah), means, a decision, decree and division ordained by Allah,

﴿وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ﴾

(And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise), knowledgeable of all things outwardly and inwardly and what benefits His servants,

﴿حَكِيمٌ﴾

(All-Wise), in all what he declares, does, legislates and decides, there is no true deity or lord except Him.

﴿وَمِنْهُمُ الَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ النَّبِىَّ وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ أُذُنٌ قُلْ أُذُنُ خَيْرٍ لَّكُمْ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَيُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴾

(61. And among them are men who annoy the Prophet and say: "He is (lending his) ear (to every news).'' Say: "He listens to what is best for you; he believes in Allah; has faith in the believers; and is a mercy to those of you who believe.'' But those who annoy Allah's Messenger, will have a painful torment.)