Is it permissible to give zakat to a brother to cover his university study expenses, and what is the ruling on giving the entire zakat amount to a specific person to undertake paying it in installments to the university on behalf of the brother over three years, knowing that the father owns a house?

It is permissible to give zakat to a brother to cover his study expenses if the field of study is permissible and he is unable to cover the expenses himself. It is also permissible to authorize a trustworthy person to pay the zakat in university installments. Zakat may be paid in advance for future years, but it is preferable not to advance it for more than two years. Giving zakat to poor relatives is better. The father is not obliged to sell his house or spend on his son if the son is able to earn a living. A man's spending on his family is one of the greatest acts of worship.