Question Summary:
Is it permissible to give zakāt to my brother? If yes, then do I have to inform him?

Question Detail:

1-My brother who is a Hafiz of the Quran is in debt due to buying a property for himself and his family to live in,is it permissible for me to help him financially with Zakat money, so that he is able to pay of his debt?
 
2-When giving Zakat money to my brother do I have to tell him its Zakat money or could I just give the money as a gift?
 
3-Will it be more rewarding for me to spent the Zakat money to help my brother pay of his debt or to help the poor people in another country or poor students studying in  Madresa?

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
 
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
 
To give zakāt to one’s brother is permissible if he is entitled to receive it.  In fact, the fuqahā (jurists) state it is better to give zakāt to one’s family members when they are in need.  From all the avenues one can give zakāt in, to give to one’s brother is the most superior avenue to give zakāt in.[i]  The dispenser of zakāt in such a case receives double reward; one reward for fulfilling the need of a person and secondly, the act of maintaining one’s family ties.
 
It is not necessary to inform the recipient of zakāt that the money being given to him is from one’s zakāt.  It is advisable not to inform one’s family that you are forwarding zakāt money to them.  People are usually apprehensive when utilising zakāt funds.  In addition, they may feel uncomfortable in taking zakāt money.  Hence, when giving zakāt to a brother or someone else directly, it is permissible to say to them that this money is a gift.  However, the intention of the dispenser of this money should be of zakāt.[ii]
 
In conclusion, it is better to give zakāt to one’s brother when he is eligible to receive zakāt in comparison to other avenues.  Neither is it necessary to disclose the nature of the money advanced to such a person.
 
Please refer to the following link for more information on zakāt:
http://www.askimam.org/fatwa/fatwaList.php?fid=6
 
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Faraz Ibn Adam al-Mahmudi,
UK
 
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

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