waqfs

Waqf (plural awqāf or awqaf) is an Islamic endowment of property devoted to religious or charitable purposes in perpetuity. The donor, known as the waqif, endows a property or rights therein and designates a trustee or mutawwali to administer it. The endowed property is typically irrevocably bound to the designated benefit and is generally not subject to sale or inheritance. The income generated by the endowment is used to support the specified purposes, such as mosques, schools (madrasas), hospitals, wells, or other public institutions. If no explicit purpose is stated, the income is applied to public welfare.

There are different forms of waqf. Waqf ahli refers to a private or family endowment that benefits specified relatives, while waqf khairi (public or charitable endowment) benefits a broader community or charitable projects. Public waqfs may fund ongoing institutions or services, whereas private waqfs often support family lines or particular causes over time. Administration is typically entrusted to a mutawwali, who may be supervised by religious scholars or state authorities, depending on local law.

Historically, waqfs played a central role in the social and educational fabric of the Muslim world, supporting mosques, madrasas, hospitals, bridges, and other public works, notably within the Ottoman, Mughal, and Arabic worlds. In the modern era, waqf governance varies by country: some jurisdictions have nationalized or reformed waqf property, while others regulate through civil or religious law, with emphasis on transparency, accountability, and registration. Waqfs continue to function as durable mechanisms for charitable and religious support in many regions.