If a Muslim pays Zakaah of his wealth to any one of the eight categories of (eligible) recipients, then that is sufficient. However, he should give precedence to those recipients who are most important and have a greater need.

Zakaah is not paid to those whom it is obligatory upon the Muslim to spend on, like the parents, the children, and the wife, because it is obligatory upon him to spend on them whenever they are in need.

Zakaah is not acceptable except with its intention. If a person pays it without having the intention of paying the obligatory Zakaah, it will not be considered Zakaah. This is due to the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, informing us that deeds are judged by their intentions, and that every person will get what he intended. [Al-Bukhaari]