What is a Waqf
A lasting legacy of giving - ensuring continuous benefit for individuals, communities, and future generations.
Understanding Waqf
A waqf is an Islamic endowment in which property or assets such as land, buildings, or money are dedicated to a specific charitable or religious purpose and cannot be sold, inherited, or transferred. The income generated from the waqf property is used to support various charitable causes such as education, healthcare, poverty relief, and community development.
Purpose of a Waqf
The purpose of a waqf is to ensure the continued provision of important social services and to promote the welfare of the community. It is also seen as a way to preserve and promote Islamic heritage, culture, and knowledge.
The Key Benefits of a Waqf
For Individuals
A waqf provides perpetual benefit for a donor once they pass away.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"When a person dies, all their deeds come to an end except three: sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity, e.g. a waqf or endowment), beneficial knowledge (which they have left behind), or a righteous child who will pray for them." (Al-Tirmidhi, 1376)
For our community
A waqf can provide stable sources of funding for important social services such as education, healthcare, and poverty relief. It can promote the welfare of the community and help to preserve and promote Islamic heritage, culture, and knowledge. Ultimately, it can be a tool for economic development if instituted and developed at the right level and volume.
How a Waqf Works
The Islamic Conditions of a Waqf
The waqf is a noble institution in Islam, encouraged as a means of social impact and empowerment. To ensure its validity, Islamic law outlines specific conditions. These include the following:
The waqif or waqifa (founder or endower) having legal ownership of the property or assets
The person making the waqf must have legal ownership of the property or assets and have the right to transfer it to the waqf.
The waqif having the intention to donate the property or assets for a righteous purpose
The person making the waqf must have the intention to donate the property or assets for a specific religious or charitable purpose, and this intention must be stated clearly in the waqf deed.
The waqf deed being legally valid
The waqf deed or document outlining the terms and conditions of the waqf must be legally valid and comply with the shariah.
The waqf must be capable of generating income
The property or assets must be capable of generating income, which will be used to support charitable causes and benefit the community.
The waqf must be administrated by a qualified person
The waqf must be administrated by a qualified person who is responsible for overseeing the management and administration of the waqf property and ensuring that the income is used for the intended charitable or religious purposes.
FAQs
To establish a waqf, you need to identify the property or assets that will be dedicated as a waqf, draft a waqf deed or document outlining the terms and conditions of the waqf, and then obtain the necessary approvals and certifications from relevant authorities, and register the waqf with such authorities (under Islamic and secular legal systems). You also need to appoint a waqf supervisor and develop a plan for how the income generated from the waqf property will be used to support charitable causes and benefit the community.
