Waqf — Islamic Endowment

Waqf (Islamic endowment) is one of the most significant institutional innovations of Islamic civilization. It is the dedication of property or assets for a charitable purpose in perpetuity, with the original asset preserved and only its income or benefits distributed. The concept is rooted in the Prophet Muhammad's instruction to Umar ibn al-Khattab regarding a valuable piece of land in Khaybar: "If you wish, you may hold the property and give its produce as charity. It cannot be sold, gifted, or inherited" (Sahih al-Bukhari). This hadith established the three foundational rules of waqf: the original asset is preserved, its benefits flow continuously, and it cannot be alienated.

Historical Impact

Waqf endowments built much of the infrastructure of Islamic civilization. Mosques, madrasas (schools), hospitals (bimaristans), public fountains, bridges, caravanserais (inns for travelers), soup kitchens, orphanages, and libraries were all funded through waqf. The great universities of the Muslim world, including al-Azhar in Cairo (founded 970 CE) and al-Qarawiyyin in Fez (founded 859 CE), were sustained by waqf endowments for centuries. At its peak, waqf property constituted between one-third and one-half of all agricultural land in Muslim-majority regions. Ottoman Istanbul alone had thousands of waqf properties supporting hundreds of institutions.

Types of Waqf

Scholars classify waqf into three types. Waqf khairi (charitable waqf) is dedicated to public benefit: mosques, schools, hospitals, water wells, and similar institutions. Waqf ahli or dhurri (family waqf) designates the income for the founder's descendants, with the property eventually reverting to charitable use when the family line ends. Waqf mushtarak (combined waqf) allocates income partly to the family and partly to charity. The Maliki and Hanbali schools allow the founder to retain some benefit during their lifetime, while the Hanafi and Shafi'i schools generally require that the founder relinquish all personal benefit.

The Concept of Sadaqah Jariyah

Waqf is the institutional expression of sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity). The Prophet said: "When a person dies, their deeds end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them" (Sahih Muslim). A waqf-funded hospital that continues treating patients centuries after the founder's death generates continuous reward for the founder. This spiritual incentive drove an extraordinary culture of philanthropic endowment throughout Islamic history. Waqf also has economic benefits: it keeps productive assets in use, provides essential services without reliance on government taxation, and creates stable, long-term funding for institutions.

Modern Revival

Many waqf properties were lost during the colonial period or through nationalization by post-colonial governments. However, there is a growing movement to revive the waqf tradition. Modern waqf can take many forms: cash waqf (pooled monetary contributions invested to generate returns), corporate waqf (shares of companies dedicated to charitable purposes), and waqf-linked sukuk (Islamic bonds whose returns fund waqf beneficiaries). Countries like Malaysia, Turkey, Kuwait, and Singapore have established modern waqf authorities. The potential of waqf to address contemporary challenges in education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and community development is enormous, and its revival represents a return to one of Islamic civilization's most powerful tools for social good.