Dought and clear - Those to whom zakaat al-fitr may be given

Can zakaat al-fitr be given to people other than the poor and needy,
among the eight categories of people mentioned in the Qur'an(to whom
zakaah may be given)?
Praise be to Allah.
There is a difference of scholarly opinion concerning this matter. The
Shaafa'is are of the view that the categories of people to whom zakaat
al-fitr may be given are the same as those to whom zakaah on one's
wealth may be given.
The Maalikis are of the view that zakaat al-fitr isonly for the poor
and needy. This view was also favoured by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah
and Ibn al-Qayyim; among contemporary scholars it was favoured by
Shaykh Ibn Baaz. (May Allah have mercy on them all)
It says inHaashiyat ad-Dasooqi(1/506): Zakaat al-fitr may be given to
any poor, free Muslim except a Haashimi (descendant ofBanu Haashim),
but it may not be given to one who works in collecting it, those whose
hearts are to be softened towards Islam, for freeing slaves, or to a
debtor, mujaahid, or a wayfarer to help him gethome; rather it is
prescribed specifically for the poor. End quote.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:This
opinion has the strongest evidence.
End quote fromMajmoo' Fataawa Shaykh al-Islam, 25/71
Ibn al-Qayyim said inZaad al-Ma'aad(2/22): It was the teaching of the
Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) to single out the
poor for receipt of this charity; he did not share it out among the
eight categories (of those whoare entitled to zakaah), and he did not
issue instructions to that effect, and his Companions and those who
came after them did not do that either. Rather one of the two opinions
in our view is that it is not permissible to give it to anyone except
the poor in particular. This view is stronger than the view that it
must be divided among the eight categories.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him) said: It is to be given
to the poor and needy, because of the proven report from Ibn 'Abbaas
(may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah
(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) enjoined zakaat al-fitr as
a purification for the fasting person from idle and obscene talk, and
to feed the poor.
And Allah knows best.