WAQF —a continuous good, a lasting reward

Waqf is preserving the core of an asset and directing its benefit or income toward good works for the pleasure of Allah. The "core" is property that is itself preserved while its benefit is used, such as a house, a shop, land, or a garden. Waqf property is normally not sold, gifted, pledged, or inherited.

Waqf is based above all on the words of the Prophet ﷺ, the practice of the Companions, and its recognition by scholars. The word "waqf" is not mentioned directly in this sense in the Qur’an, but many verses urge people toward spending, charity, good works, and giving in the way of Allah. In this way, the Qur’an provides a general Sharia foundation for waqf.

A permanent waqf is established forever: the core is preserved and its benefit is continuously directed toward good works. A temporary waqf is established for a set period; once that period ends, the property is returned to the owner or a designated person according to the founder’s conditions.

With sadaqah, the item or sum itself is given to another person and can be spent immediately. With waqf, the core asset is preserved, and its benefit or income is directed toward good works. This is why waqf is considered one of the well-known forms of ongoing sadaqah — a continuous good.

Property whose core can be preserved while its benefit is used can become a waqf: a house, a shop, land, a garden, a well, and other income-producing assets. Waqf property must be clearly defined, lawfully owned by the founder, and suitable for Sharia-permitted use.

The benefit and income of a waqf can be directed to good works, including education, healthcare, access to water, and support for those in need and for relatives. The purpose of a waqf must not be linked to sin or anything forbidden. The founder’s conditions are also observed, provided they do not contradict Sharia.

The legitimacy of waqf as such is accepted by scholars. However, on some specific matters — the type of property, the method of management, and certain forms of waqf — there are differences of opinion between schools of law. These differences do not affect the basic legitimacy and merit of waqf.

Among the main conditions: the founder has the right to dispose of the property; the waqf property is clearly defined and beneficial; the purpose of the waqf is lawful and good; the conditions of the waqf are clear; and the waqf is established and managed according to the requirements of Sharia. Details of some conditions can vary between schools of law.

Waqf is a good deed and a way of drawing closer to Allah. Intention and a good purpose are therefore of great importance in it. The founder must have a sincere, good intention and direct the benefit of the waqf in a lawful and useful way.

The founder may appoint a person or an organization as a "nazir" (custodian) to manage the waqf. The nazir is responsible for the waqf’s property as a trust and is obliged to preserve it, manage it properly, and act according to the conditions of the waqf and the requirements of Sharia. If no nazir has been appointed, management follows the waqf deed and applicable law.

Among earlier scholars there was some disagreement over cash waqf. Today, many contemporary scholars and fiqh institutions consider a cash waqf permissible, provided Sharia conditions are met: the principal sum is preserved or reasonably invested, and its benefit or income is directed toward the waqf’s purposes.

For further study, one can turn to books on the fiqh of waqf, contemporary research, and the AAOIFI standards on waqf. These sources explain in detail the issues of establishing, managing, investing, preserving, and distributing the benefit of a waqf.