Waqf Made Easy
Ibn ʿUmar (RA) reported:ʿUmar acquired a piece of land in Khaybar and came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said, “O Messenger of Allah, I have obtained land in Khaybar. I have never obtained wealth more precious to me than this. What do you command me to do with it?” The Prophet ﷺ said: “If you like, you can withhold the property itself and give it in charity (as waqf), so it cannot be sold, inherited, or given away, but its fruits can be given in charity.” So ʿUmar gave it as charity, stipulating that it could not be sold, inherited, or given away, and that its yield would go to the poor, relatives, freeing of slaves, for the sake of Allah, travellers, and guests.
Waqf
وَقْــــــف
(Arabic: وَقْف) is an Islamic endowment — when a person donates something (like money, land, or property) permanently for the sake of Allah, so that its benefit continues for people in the future.
- The original asset (e.g. land, building, money) is kept intact.
- The benefit (like rent, harvest, or services) is used for good causes — such as feeding the poor, building schools, funding mosques, supporting orphans, or other community needs.
- Once something is made waqf, it cannot be sold, inherited, or given away — it belongs to Allah, and its benefit continues to serve people.
Why is Waqf important
Waqf is considered a form of sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity) — meaning the person continues to earn reward even after death.
It creates sustainable charity: instead of one-time giving, it provides continuous benefit.
It was widely practiced in Islamic history — funding schools, hospitals, wells, orphanages, even public services like roads and libraries.
Waqf with Eman Legacy
All donations are invested ethically and all proceeds from the investments fund dawah initiatives around the globe. This ensures that the initial donation continues to provide khair and earn reward for generations to come.
History of Waqf
Throughout Islamic history, Waqf wasn’t seen simply as charity — it was a way to fund education, religious, infrastructure, health, and social welfare initiatives, ensuring long-term benefits for entire communities.
When Uthman heard that the Prophet offered a garden in Jannah (Paradise) for the one who would buy the well, he negotiated with the owner to buy the well and then donated it as an endowment for the public benefit.
Over time, date palms started to grow around the well and the dates were sold, with some of the profits donated to charity and some invested to generate further income.
This endowment continues till today with one of its assets being a hotel in Madinah near the Prophet’s masjid with profits continuing to provide benefit to people, over 1,400 years after the initial Waqf donation made by Uthman.
The Well of Rumah
The first ever waqf donated was by Uthman ibn Affan. After hijra, the muhajiroon found the water in Madinah difficult to drink due to the different taste from Zamzam. There was one well called Rumah, from which the water tasted similar to Zamzam but the owner charged excessively for people to take water from it.
When Uthman heard that the Prophet offered a garden in Jannah (Paradise) for the one who would buy the well, he negotiated with the owner to buy the well and then donated it as an endowment for the public benefit.
Over time, date palms started to grow around the well and the dates were sold, with some of the profits donated to charity and some invested to generate further income.
This endowment continues till today with one of its assets being a hotel in Madinah near the Prophet’s masjid with profits continuing to provide benefit to people, over 1,400 years after the initial Waqf donation made by Uthman.
Al-Azhar University
- Cairo, Egypt
The largest Ottoman era mosque in the city, still standing today. The mosque was commissioned by Sultan Suleyman and built by Mimar Sinan.
Included in the complex is a mosque, hospital, medical school, public kitchen, baths, caravanserai, and library.
The waqf funded the maintenance of the complex and essential services for the community.
Süleymaniye Complex
- Istanbul, Turkiye
Founded by Fatima al-Fihri using her inheritance as waqf.
Considered one of the oldest continually operating universities in the world.
Funded through waqf to provide free education in theology, astronomy, medicine, and more.
Roxelana’s Soup Kitchen
- Jerusalem, Palestine
Established by Emetullah Rabia Gülnuş Sultan, mother of Sultan Ahmed III and considered by some to be the oldest continuously operating charitable soup kitchen in the world.
Built after the Ottoman conquest of Jerusalem, it was funded by waqf properties in Anatolia and the Balkans. The soup kitchen is said to have served at least 500 people twice a day.
Al-Qarawiyyin University
- Fes, Morocco
Founded by Fatima al-Fihri using her inheritance as waqf.
Considered one of the oldest continually operating universities in the world.
Funded through waqf to provide free education in theology, astronomy, medicine, and more.
Bayezid II Complex
- Edirne & Istanbul, Turkiye
Sultan Bayezid II established medical complexes in both cities that remained in operation for four centuries, from 1488.
The Edirne complex had a hospital, medical school, and pharmacy and services were provided free of charge due to the Waqf funding.
FAQs
What is a Waqf?
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How are the initial property funded?
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How does Eman Legacy earn rental income?
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