Zakat for Someone Drowning in Interest-Bearing Debt

Short answer: Yes — the insolvent debtor (ghārim) is a Quranic category of zakat; even where the loan is an interest-bearing contract, one who is genuinely unable and sincerely wants out may be given zakat to clear the principal and the accrued burden — best paid directly to the creditor so the money is not diverted. Condition: he repents of taking riba loans; funding a continuing habit becomes cooperation in sin. Details: In rural reality many fall into interest installments out of desperation — zakat is the shariah's safety net for them: Allah fixed their right in the wealth of the rich. Prioritize (1) clearing the principal debt, (2) the family's food and clothing; helping build halal alternatives (qard-hasan funds, cooperatives) is ongoing charity. For debts of luxury or gambling/addiction — proven repentance first, then help. Evidence: Quran 9:60; Sahih Muslim 1044 (Qabisah); Quran 5:2; Shaykh Ibn Baz on helping clear riba entanglement without abetting future riba. For complex individual cases, consult a qualified scholar.