Is it permissible for an employee whose monthly salary is insufficient to cover his essential needs, such as completing the construction of his house and acquiring some necessary items, to receive Zakat from his brother, knowing that there are others in greater need, and that his brother prefers to give it to him due to kinship ties?

If a salary is insufficient for the basic needs (food, drink, clothing, housing, medicine) of a person and his dependents, then the limit of maskanah (destitution) applies to him, and it is permissible for him to receive zakat funds. This is because he falls under the general meaning of Allah's saying: "Indeed, zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy [masakin]..." (Quran 9:60). Furthermore, giving zakat to deserving relatives is better and carries a greater reward than giving it to others, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Charity given to the poor is charity, but charity given to a relative is two: charity and upholding ties of kinship."