What is Waqf: A Timeless Legacy of Charity and Community in Islam

Waqf is one of the concepts that most deeply embodies the spirit of charity and community welfare in the rich tapestry of Islamic heritage. Waqf, which has its roots in the Arabic phrase meaning “to hold” or “to dedicate,” is a lasting tradition of altruism in which people donate their money or assets to the advancement of society.

Waqf is a lifelong investment in mankind that will benefit future generations, going beyond simple almsgiving. Waqf has long been a pillar of Islamic culture, supporting everything from hospitals, schools, and mosques to supplying necessities like water wells and orphanages. It is an act of devotion, a way to seek Allah’s pleasure, and a way to guarantee ongoing blessings even after one’s lifetime is over. It is not just a money transaction.

What is waqf meaning in Islam?

What is waqf in Islam? A waqf is an endowment established by a Muslim for philanthropic, social, or religious purposes in Islam. It is an act that, while designating a piece of property for the benefit of society or a specific purpose, prohibits its sale, inheritance, or transfer.

The Arabic root word “waqafa,” which means “to stop” or “to restrain,” is the source of the term waqf (وقف), which denotes the concept of dedicating and preventing private ownership of property.

Narrated that ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “O Messenger of Allah, I have got wealth from Khaybar and I have nothing more precious to me than that. What do you command me to do with it?” He said, “If you wish, you can put it aside and give in charity from it (from what it produces), but the original property should not be sold, given away, or inherited.”

Muslim narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “When the son of Adam dies, all his good deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity, knowledge from which others may benefit after he is gone, and a righteous son who will pray for him.” Jabir said: “There was no one among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) who had the means, but he set up a waqf.”

Qurtubah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “There is no dispute among the scholars concerning waqfs of aqueducts and mosques in particular, but they differed concerning other types of waqfs.” 

Explore how to memorize Quran faster and start your learning journey!

Types of Waqf in Islam

Now that we understand what is Waqf we will discover its types. Islamic endowments, or waqfs, come in a variety of forms, each with a distinct function to help people, societies, or places of worship. The primary forms of waqf in Islam are as follows:

1. What is waqf Types: Religious Waqf (Waqf Khayri)

To fully understand what is waqf you should be familiar with its different types. This type of waqf is dedicated to supporting religious activities or establishments. The primary aim is to promote Islamic teachings and worship practices.

Examples:

• Building and maintaining mosques.
• Funding Quranic schools (madrasas).
• Supporting the publication of Islamic books.
• Financing activities related to Islamic da’wah (propagation).

2. Philanthropic Waqf (Waqf Ahli or Waqf ‘Am)

This type of waqf serves public welfare and charitable causes. Its focus is on providing resources and assistance to the needy or for general societal benefit. If you wonder what is Waqf types, Waqf Ahli is one of them.

Examples:

• Establishing hospitals, orphanages, or shelters.
• Creating libraries or public learning institutions.
• Providing food, water, or basic necessities for the poor.
• Building infrastructure such as bridges or public wells.

Discover what is sawm and its amazing benefits!

3. What is Waqf types: Family Waqf (Waqf Dhurri or Waqf Ahli)

This waqf occasionally serves a philanthropic purpose in addition to benefiting the donor’s family and descendants. A family waqf can allocate a portion of the income for public welfare while giving the donor’s successors financial security and subsistence.

Key Features:

1. The income generated is distributed among family members.
2. A portion may go to charity if stipulated by the donor.

4. Joint Waqf (Waqf Mushtarak)

This waqf combines aspects of both philanthropic and family waqf. It is designed to benefit the donor’s family and, simultaneously, the public or charitable causes.

Example:

• A property is endowed where half the revenue supports family members, and the other half funds a public service like a school or hospital.

5. Temporary Waqf (Waqf Mu’aqqat)

What is Waqf types? Temporary Waqf is one of its types. Unlike the usual perpetual waqf, this type has a specified time limit. After the defined period, the property or asset can revert to the donor or their heirs.

Examples:

• Allocating land for a school for ten years.
• Providing a building for temporary use as a mosque or shelter.

6. Developmental Waqf (Waqf Istithmari)

This modern form of waqf focuses on investing endowed properties or assets in profitable ventures, with the generated income supporting charitable or social causes.

Examples:

• Renting out waqf land and using the rent to fund education or healthcare.
• Building commercial properties and dedicating profits to philanthropic efforts.

7. What is waqf types: Direct and Indirect Waqf

• Direct Waqf: A mosque or a well are examples of waqf properties or services that are immediately available to recipients.
• Indirect Waqf: Services like offering scholarships or aid are financed by the waqf property’s rental income.

Importance of the Different Waqf Types:

• Each type of waqf caters to a specific need in society, ensuring flexibility in its application to suit various contexts, whether traditional or modern. It helps foster community welfare, family security, and religious adherence.

Conditions of the validity of wqaf in Islam

Now that we understand what is waqf and its types let’s discover its conditions. Some requirements must be met for a waqf (Islamic endowment) to be legitimate and accepted under Islamic law. These requirements guarantee that the waqf complies with Shariah laws and accomplishes its goal. Here are the key conditions:

1. Donor (Waqif) Conditions

The person creating the waqf must meet the following criteria:

1. Legal Ownership: The donor must own the property being endowed outright and have full control over it.
2. Free Will: The waqf must be given willingly, free from pressure or compulsion.
3. Mental Competence: When establishing the waqf, the donor must be sane and in good mental health.
4. Adult Status: According to Islamic law, the donor must have attained puberty, or the age of maturity.

2. What is waqf conditions: Property (Mawqoof) Conditions

When asking what is Waqf conditions, part of the answer will be about the property conditions.

• The property or asset being endowed must fulfill the following criteria:
• Legitimacy: The property must be lawful (halal) in Islam, meaning it cannot involve prohibited items like alcohol or stolen goods.
• Permanence: The asset must have the potential for lasting benefit and not be perishable or consumable (e.g., food).
• Ownership Transfer: The ownership of the property must be transferred completely to the waqf, making it irrevocable.
• Defined and Specific: The property being endowed must be identified and specified.

3. Beneficiary (Mawqoof ‘Alayh) Conditions

The beneficiaries of the waqf must meet the following requirements:

• Existence: The beneficiary must have been there when the waqf was established or fall under one of the recognized categories, including the impoverished, mosques, or a general public purpose.
• Permissibility: The waqf must support charitable, educational, or social welfare endeavors that are consistent with Islamic values. Recipients cannot be illegal organizations or causes.
• Clarity: The waqf deed must specifically name the recipients or the waqf’s objective.

4. What is waqf condition: Intent (Niyyah) Conditions

• The waqf’s purpose must be genuine and consistent with Islamic principles:
• For Allah’s Sake: To please Allah, the waqf must be made as a charitable and worshipful deed.
• Irrevocability: The waqf cannot be withdrawn or retrieved by the donor after it has been announced.

5. Formal Declaration Conditions

• What is waqf condition? One of the waqf conditions is the formal declaration. The waqf must be properly declared to establish its validity:
• Clear Declaration: The donor must explicitly state their intention to dedicate the property as waqf.
• Public Announcement (Optional): While not always mandatory, a public declaration helps ensure transparency and avoids disputes.

6. Compliance with Shariah

• The waqf must not contradict Islamic principles or laws. For instance, it cannot be established for a purpose that promotes sin or harm.

7. Perpetuity

• A waqf is generally intended to be perpetual, ensuring lasting benefits. Temporary waqf is permissible but must be explicitly stated in the waqf deed.

Waqf in Islamic History as an Example

What is waqf in Islamic history and its examples? Numerous examples of waqf (Islamic endowments) throughout Islamic history show the religion’s enormous societal influence. The financing of these waqf institutions has helped social, religious, educational, and public welfare initiatives. Here are some notable examples:

1. Umar ibn alKhattab

As the second Caliph of Islam, Umar assigned a fertile area of land in Khaybar as waqf. The crops would be provided to charity organizations, the poor, and tourists, he decided, and the property itself could not be sold, inherited, or given as a gift.

One of the first waqfs, it acts as a template for subsequent generations.

2. Uthman ibn Affan’s Well

Uthman ibn Affan, the third Caliph, purchased a well in Medina known as the Well of Rumah from a Jewish man who was charging high prices for water. He declared the well as waqf, allowing the public free access to water. The well still serves as a source of water to this day, and its income is used for charitable purposes.

Learn Shariah and Fiqh with the best-specialized instructors from Al-Azhar University.

Join Ulum Al-Azhar today for our Shariah program and learn from experienced Al-Azhar University instructors. Enjoy tailored lessons, one-on-one classes, simplified explanations, authentic Arabic pronunciation, and affordable prices with discounts.

Conclusion.

What is Waqf? In Islam, waqf is a timeless institution that perfectly captures the spirit of unending almsgiving and communal well-being. Waqf bridges the gap between faith and action by establishing a legacy of social responsibility and compassion via the dedication of wealth or property for the benefit of others. Whether it be by funding public services, healthcare, or education, waqf is still essential to improving communities and guaranteeing the donor’s ongoing blessings. It serves as a potent reminder of the long-lasting effects that deeds of kindness can have on the globe.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to the qualified professionals at Ulum Al-Azhar for assistance in learning more about fiqh and its rules. Book a free Consultation session and start learning! 

FAQs

Is waqf sunnah?

Yes, waqf is a sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

What is the hadith about Waqf?

“When the son of Adam dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (continuous charity); A knowledge which gives benefit, or a righteous child who prays for him (the deceased).” (Narrated by Muslim).