Short Answer

You should first distribute Zakāh to your relatives [excluding parents and children], regardless of where they live. After that, you should distribute Zakāh locally since it was collected from the same area, unless there is an urgent need elsewhere for it.

Yes, you can give Zakah to a family member of the Prophet.

Reason for Asking the Question

It was forbidden for the family of the Prophet Muhammad to receive Zakah, and most scholars uphold this restriction until today. The questioner wants to know if there is a legitimate difference of opinion on this.

What the Scholars Said

Imam Abu Hanifah and Shaykh Ibn Taymiyyah said that Zakāh may be given to a direct descendent from the bloodline of the Prophet because the portion of the spoils of war they used to receive during the time of the Prophet does not reach them anymore. (See Kitab al-Ikhtiyar 152, 156; al-Ikhtiyārāt 104)

Version 0.5 | [Shaykh] Mustafa Umar | 5-17-2020