Can zakāh be given to one's siblings?

Question

Asalamualaykum question are you allowed to give zakaat to siblings aswell.

— Umme Aisha UK

Answer

وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته

To give zakāt and other forms of ṣadaqah (charity) to the siblings who are deserving of it – i.e., they meet the requirements of being eligible to receive funds of zakāt – is not only permissible, but it is superior to it being given to others. This is evident in the passage of Bahār e Sharī`at as Ṣadr al-Sharī`ah, upon him be mercy, writes:

زکاة وغیرہ صدقات میں افضل یہ ہے کہ اولا اپنے بھائیوں بہنوں کو دے

“What is superior in zakāt and other forms of charity is that it be given firstly to one’s own brothers and sisters.”

[Bahār e Sharī`at, Vol. 5, Zakāt ka Bayān]

And Allāh knows best.

Faqīr Sayyid `Abdul Ṣamad al-Qādirī · (may he be pardoned) · Muḥarram 19, 1446 AH