Someone asked this question: “As-Salamu alaykum. I am wondering if I can give zakah to my brothers and sisters.“
If giving zakah to your brother or sister means that your duty towards him/her will be waived, such as if it is obligatory for you to spend on his/her maintenance, but you give him/her zakah so that you save your money and do not spend on him/her, then this is not permissible, because zakah cannot be paid to protect wealth.
But if it does not mean that your duty towards him/her will be waived, such as if it is not obligatory for you to spend on his/her maintenance, because you will not inherit from him, or because you cannot afford to spend on him/her as well as your own family, or you are giving him/her money to pay off a debt that he/she owes but cannot pay off, then it is permissible for you to give your zakah to him/her, rather it is preferable for you to give it to him/her rather than anyone else, because giving to him is both an act of charity and upholding the ties of kinship. (Majmu` Fatawa Ibn `Uthaymeen, 18:422-423)
