SIGNIFICANCE OF WAQAF (ENDOWMENT) IN ISLAM BY YAHYA GARBA AL-YOLAWI

IMAM YAHYA GARBA AL-YOLAWI

THE  SUMMARY OF 161th  SERMON AT AREA 10 JUMA’AH MASJID ABUJA, BY YAHYA GARBA AL-YOLAWI, ON 2^ND, MAR 2018/ 14^TH J/AKHIR 1439AH

TOPIC: SIGNIFICANCE OF WAQAF (ENDOWMENT) IN ISLAM

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

"And seek,Through that which Allah has given you, the home of hear after, and (yet) do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you...."Q28:77

Since the beginning of Islam, Awqaaf or religious endowments have been the medium through which various public services (libraries, schools, guest in, hospitals, and mosques) have been provided to communities throughout Islamic history.

As Muslims we need to put keen interest in waqf, particularly if we want to earn more reward and revive act of selfless services and religious institutions which promote Islamic morals and, socio-economic sustainability among the muslim ummah.

DEFINITION OF WAQF (ENDOWMENT) :

The term waqf “ Islamic endowment” simply means to retain, to preserve a voluntary but permanent and irrevocable dedication of a portion of
one’s wealth – in cash or kind- to Allah SWT. In another word waqf (endowment) means detention of a building, plots of land or property with no intention of reclaiming it again and its produce or income may always be available for religious or charitable purposes. When a waqf is created, the property is detained or, is ‘tied up’ forever and thereafter becomes non-transferable to any other person. The moment waqf, is done it never be given as a gift, inheritance, or sold. It belongs to Allah and the property of the waqf remains intact while, it products, income generated from the property is use for, services, maintenance or funding sustainable community and social development projects or programs in line with the intention and pronunciation of the donor.

ORIGINS OF ENDOWMENT (WAQF) IN ISLAM:

Allah (SWT) says: “Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah ] from that which you love. And whatever you spend - indeed, Allah is knowing of it”.3.92“Ibn ‘Umar reported: “Umar acquired land in Khaibar. He came to Allah’s Apostle (saw) and sought his advice in regard to it. He said: “Allah’s Messenger, I have acquired land in Khaibar. I have never acquired more valuable for me than this, so what do you command I do with it? Thereupon the Prophet (saw) said: If you like, you may keep the property intact and give its produce as Sadaqah. So’Umar (RA) gave it as Sadaqah declaring that the property must not be sold or inherited or given away as a gift. And ‘Umar devoted it to the poor, to the nearest of kin, to the emancipation of slaves, to wayfarers/guests, and in the way of ALLAH” - Muslim.

Some of the verses and ahadith encourage spending in the cause of Allah include:

1. Leaving behind you a good legacy is highly encouraged in Islam: Allah says “

Indeed, it is We who bring the dead to life and record what they have put forth and what they left behind, and all things We have enumerated in a clear register”. Q36:12

2. Man will wish to have more good deeds at time of Death.  Allah says “ And spend [in the way of Allah ] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, "My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous." But never will Allah delay a soul when its time has come. And Allah is acquainted with what you do. Q63: 10-

4. Giving to others is a big transaction between you and Allah (SWT).

“…So recite what is easy from it and establish prayer and give zakah and loan Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah . It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful”. Q 73:20

5. When a man dies, all his good deeds stop except for three: The prophet (SAW) was reported to have said: “When a man dies, all his good deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity (sadaqatul Jaariyah), beneficial knowledge, and a righteous son who prays for him”. an-Nasa’i

SOME WAYS TO EARN REWARD AFTER DEATH INCLUDE:

:

1. SADAQATUL JARIYAH (ONGOING CHARITY)

Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity) refers to any righteous deed of a person that continues after death and the reward is added to the person’s book of good deeds as long as that deed is benefited from. Some forms of ongoing charity are:

a- Digging up a well or setting up water borehole at different places for travellers and wayfarers.

b- Building an Islamic center, orphanages, charitable organization or building a mosque, islamiyyah, or contributing to it by providing prayer mats, Generator. donations, furniture, or other facilities. “If anyone builds a mosque, Allah would build for him a similar place in Paradise.” (Bukhari)

c- Distributing copies of the Quran and other Islamic literature, or placing it somewhere that people can benefit from. Contribute to the publication of books, articles, and pamphlets that aim to propagate Islamic knowledge by writing, translating, designing, editing, and funding.

d- To sponsor or give scholarship or any financial assistance to a young Islamic student to further his Islamic studies and benefit Ummah.

THREE COMPONENTS OF WAKF: THE ENDOWER, THE ENDOWMENT (WAQF), AND THE BENEFICIARY.

The endower: waaqif

The endower must confirm his/her decision to grant an endowment and designate its beneficiary either verbally or in writing. One can also have a tangible evidence on his/her endowments such as a built mosque or cemetery.

Endowment must be granted with full determination and as a final decision; in other words, a promissory and conditional endowments are not accepted. Further, endowment is irrevocable and for an unlimited time. Most scholars agree that endowment cannot be valid for a limited period.

Endower's qualifications:

The endower must be an adult with free will. His/her decision to grant an endowment must be a personal one. i.e. is not imposed on him/her by anyone.

Endowment: waqf

Endowment funds or assets must be in compliance with Shariah. For instance, wine cannot be considered an endowment.

Endowment can be either in cash or in kind such as estates and stocks. Since an endowment is a continuous charity (Sadaqah Jariah), it must be permanent and non-perishable. Therefore, food cannot be endowed. Moreover, the endowment can be a part of an undivided joint estate granted its percentage is known (such as 25% of the estate). Endower has the right to increase his waqf with time by additional funds or in kind.

Beneficiary's requirements:

The beneficiary can be an individual(s) or an institution(s) which is awarded the income generated from investing the waqf. Waqf must also be designated to Shari'a compliant deeds or people such as printing the Holy Quran, or helping the needy, the poor, the relatives...

CATEGORIES OF WAQF FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF ITS OUTPUT NATURE:

Waqf istithmari: the waqf assets are intended for investment. Such assets are managed to produce income that will be used in constructing and reconstructing waqf properties.

Waqf mubashar: the waqf assets are used to generate services to the benefit of some charity recipients or other beneficiaries. Examples of such assets include schools, mosques, utilities.

EXAMPLE OF WAQF SERVICES AND FACILITIES

The Haram of Ka’bah in Makkah was the first Waqf (Surah Al-Imraan, verse 96). Masjid Quba and Masjid An-Nabaweeh in Medinah were the first Waqf properties established by Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Since then, titles to religious properties, including mosques, Islamic centers, and schools are held by a Waqf (Islamic trust) institution. Waqf properties and their value become restricted on a continuous basis, to serve the Islamic objectives prescribed at inception by their founders for the benefit of the general Ummah.

Examples of waqf are so many in the life time of companions of the prophet, tabiun and those who come after them throughout islamic history.

1.Umar R.A with his land of khaibar 2. Uthman bn Affan with his bi’ir (well) of Rumah, Khalid bn waleed, Abu talha,  Ain zubaidah in makkah,etc.

To give example from our contemporaries we have:

We have the King Abdulaziz Endowment (Waqf) complex consist of seven high-rise towers within walking distance of the Grand Mosque. It is a religious endowment  which is regulated by Islamic Law and was established for the purpose of raising revenue to finance maintenance and the enhancement of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophets Mosque in Madinah.

Another one is shekh sulaiman ai-Rajihi one of the richest people in the world who donate 16billion US dollars in charity .

Late: Alhaji Sallau Muhammad Gidado may Allah (SWT) for give him and accept his good deeds who happen to build over 30 mosques and Islamiyaa schools across Northern Nigeria in his life he died in the year 2012.

And now Alh. Ahmmadu chanchangi

Lessons from the Lifestyle Of Alhaji Ahmadu Chanchangi For Us especially The Rich Among Us.

Some of his legacies and contribution includes:

1. suponsoring tafsir at sultan Bello mosque for 30 years

2. Sponsoring to air shekh Mahmud gumi’s Tafsir for over 3 decades.

3. Building of Mahmudu Gumi’s College.

3. Purchasing and Giving out of plots for free at kin kinau kaduna state.

4. Sponsoring thousands of orphans’ education and their basic needs for over 30 years

5. Carrying so many people to perform hajj and umrah almost every year.

6. Distributing of trucks (trailers) carrying food items (rice, millet, maise suger etc) to the people at every Ramadan to mention but few.

May Allah (SWT) forgive their short comings accept all their contributions to Islam and grant them jannatul firdaus. AMEEN




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