Spending Zakah on poor orphan students and other poor students to provide them with housing, clothing and living costs

Q: The Islamic University, a store of sciences in Dacca - Bangladesh, is an Islamic religious institution that serves knowledge and `Aqidah (creed) from the perspective of Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah (adherents to the Sunnah and the Muslim mainstream), following the footsteps of the pious Salaf (righteous predecessors). It supports many needy and poor Muslim students by providing them with housing, living costs, textbooks, and other expenses. Is it permissible for wealthy people from overseas and inside the country to spend the Zakah (obligatory charity) on those students?

A: It is permissible to spend Zakah on poor orphan students and other poor students to provide them with housing, clothing and living costs; because they are from the categories of Zakah recipients as mentioned in Allah's (Exalted be He) Words: As-Sadaqât (here it means Zakât ) are only for the Fuqarâ’ (poor), and Al-Masâkin (the poor) (Part No. 8; Page No. 423) and so on, (to the end of the verse).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.