Is it permissible to give zakah to a brother and a sister?

Question:
Is it permissible for a Muslim to give the zakah of his wealth to his brother who is about to get married, or to his poor sister?

Answer:
Yes, if his brother is unable to get married, there is nothing wrong with helping him from the zakah. Likewise, if his sister is poor, there is nothing wrong with supporting her from the zakah. However, if she is in his house and his brother is in his house, and he is providing for their maintenance and is able to do so, he should not give them the zakah; he should give it to someone else, because they are among his dependents, and he is capable of providing for them, so he gives the zakah to others.
As for if they are independent and need his kindness and assistance in getting married, or assistance for the woman in her needs, there is nothing wrong with that. The more cautious course for him, if he is able, is to spend on them from his own wealth, even if they are far away.