Is Zakat permissible to be given to distant relatives (Dhawi al-Arham) when they inherit in the absence of closer heirs?

Primary text

In the established view of the school, it is permissible to give Zakat to distant relatives when they are the rightful heirs (in the absence of principal heirs like sons or siblings). This is because their kinship is considered weak, as they only inherit when there are no direct descendants, primary heirs, or designated sharers (excluding spouses). Their inheritance rights do not prevent the distribution of Zakat to them, as their right to the estate materializes only when there are no other heirs.