Paying Zakah to help an indebted physician repay his debt

Q: The Forensic Medical Committee has issued a decree fining a physician some 450,500 riyals as compensation for a patient treated by the physician and others. The patient suffered from some infirmities. The physician concerned owns no accommodations except one for his family and a car for transportation. The value of both amounts to no more than 80,000 riyals. Fulfilling the commandment of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) and following the Sunnah of His noble Prophet, we cooperate and work shoulder to shoulder to alleviate the burden of this colleague.The question is: Can what we donate voluntarily to this colleague to complete the required sum be considered part of Zakah (obligatory charity)? Is it possible to pay Zakah of two years or more in advance?

A: If the case is as you mentioned, it is permissible for you to pay Zakah to this physician to help him pay his debts, because he is one of the eighth eligible recipients of Zakah whom Allah mentioned in Surah (Qur'anic chapter) of Tawbah (repentance to Allah): As-Sadaqât (here it means Zakât) are only for the Fuqarâ’ (poor), and the Masâkin (needy) and those employed to collect (the funds), and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islâm), and to free the captives, and for those in debt ...Etc. (Part No. 8; Page No. 451) It is lawful to offer Zakah of more than one year to meet the need of the above-mentioned person.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.