Endowment (waqf): Difference between revisions

'''Endowment (waqf)''' (Arabic: {{ia|الوقف}}), to allocate some property to be used — whether the very property or its profit — by certain people or for a public cause.<ref>[http://leader.ir/en/book/32/Practical-Laws-of-Islam?sn=6033 Practical Laws of Islam / Glossary]</ref> Endowment is among Islamic contracts and is to give a physical property for using its benefits with nothing to receive in return. The word “waqf” is not mentioned in the [[Qur'an]]; but, many [[hadith]]s have mentioned its recommendation and have explained its rules. Endowment can be made for a certain person or group, or for a general purpose and for all people.

In [[fiqh]] terminology, it means blocking a property and allowing others to have its benefits or usages without receiving anything in return. Blocking the property here means that after making the endowment, the transfer and wastage of the property will be prevented and its benefits will be used for the intended purpose. Therefore, sometimes, the endowment is called “running charity”, because its benefits remain forever.

*Formula, is the wording which implies the endowment.

*The endower, is the person who endows his property and receives no interest or anything in return for himself.

*A person, persons or purpose for which the endowment is made.

*The physical endowment: is the property or capital which is endowed.

In the Qur'an, there is no verse implying the endowment. But, in books known as [[Ayat al-ahkam]] (verses of ruling), endowment is introduced in the level of sukna (using the benefits of a property for a certain period of time), charity, gift, etc. and it is categorized under general titles of “perfect gifts” (a property given in return for nothing). For example, in verse 92 of [[Qur'an 3]], we read, “You will never attain piety until you spend out of what you hold dear”. For the significance of endowment they also refer to verse 20 of [[Qur'an 73]] and verse 177 of [[Qur'an 2]].

In hadiths, endowment is mentioned explicitly; while, in hadith collections, the word “[[sadaqa]]” (alms) is common and the word “waqf” is used less. Hadiths about endowment are generally divided in two categories:

*Hadiths about the recommendation of endowment

*Hadiths about the rules of endowment

In the books of fiqh, endowments are divided into two types of [[Private endowment|private]] and [[General endowment|general]] and they put the above examples under one of the two types; because, sometimes an endowments is made for one certain person or group and sometimes for a general purpose or all people.

Endowments comprise a chapter in [[jurisprudence]], in the section of transactions. Most important rules of endowment are:

 

*Some [[jurist]]s have regarded endowment in the same level with the acts of [[worship]] and have considered the [[Qurba intention|intention to become close to God]], a required condition. However, some believe that an endowment can also be accepted from a [[disbeliever]] and the intention to become close to God is in order to receive [[reward]]s for it.

*If an endowment is made for [[Muslim]]s, it means that all those who have uttered [[Shahadatayn]] can use it. But, if the endowment is made for [[believer]]s, using it is specific to the [[Twelver Shi'a]].

*If an endowment is made for people such as one's relatives, close people, etc., their extent is based on the the view of common people.

*Before the endowment is handed over to the one for whom the endowment is made, the property belongs to the [[endower]]. If the endower dies before handing over the endowment to the one for whom the endowment is made, what he intended to endow will be held by his heirs and the endowment will be canceled.

*The endower can assign himself or another as the supervisor of the endowment and this person is called “custodian”. Also, the endower can assign a person as the supervisor over the custodian and determines the extent of the supervisor's privileges.

*If the endower sets the condition that in case of necessity, the endowed property should return to him, the endowment is invalid; but, his action is considered as “blocking the property” and if it is done with the [[intention of closeness to God]], it will have [[reward]]s.

*The endowment of a mosque is accomplished when people perform [[prayer]] there. Also, the endowment of a grave is accomplished when a dead person is buried there. An endowed property cannot be sold.

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