WAQF: What You Need to Know About It
Waqf, or ‘endowment’, is a long-standing Islamic tradition. It refers to the dedication of some valuable goods – land, a building, or even money – such that it no longer belongs to anybody, and cannot be bought or sold. The profits which are then generated from this endowment are given away as charity.
When ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) acquired a piece of land, and asked the Prophet (SAW) how best to use it, the Prophet advised him to establish it as waqf: “make the land inalienable (unable to be sold or given away), and give its profit away as charity.” The harvest and profits of this land were then donated to the poor, travelers through the land and others who were in need. Over the centuries, this tradition was continued – land and buildings have frequently been given as waqf and used to build schools, hospitals, and mosques, amongst other functions to benefit
the community.
STEPS ON HOW TO MAKE A WAQF
- Make a niyyah that you wish to make a Waqf.
- Decide whether you want the Waqf for your personal benefit or esaale thawaab of a near and dear or deceased person.
- Decide whether you want the Waqf to be discretionary or designated.
- If designated, you need to decide what the designation of your Waqf shall be. E.g. Save-a-Soul, Community Medical Outreach or Build An Health center.
- Decide on the format of the Waqf: cash, goods, property.
- Should you wish to draw up a Waqfiyyah, consult with SOWF.
- Send the relevant form or contact SOWF.
Waqfiyyah
Waqfiyyah is a written deed, document, or charter setting out in detail the waqf that has been made, its purpose and the terms and conditions governing its use and management thereof.
SAMPLE:
All Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. Salaat and Salaam to the Noble Prophet Muhammad.
Enjoin what is right and just and forbid what is wrong, evil and unjust. And loan to Allah a beautiful loan. (Qur’an)
When a person dies all good actions come to an end except three (a) continuous charity, (b) beneficial knowledge, and (c) pious children who pray for the deceased. (Hadith)
MAKING THE NIYAH
Being cognizant of the concerns of Muslims and the Poor in Nigeria, my duty to Allah, to the Muslim ummah, and to humanity, and having realised the need: (a) to empower Muslim, poor, and disadvantaged communities, and (b) to contribute meaningfully to nation-building and poverty alleviation in Nigeria through the improvement of the health sector in the country, I do hereby declare and make my niyah to establish a waqf by this waqfiyyah solely for the pleasure of Allah.
THE BENEFITS
The benefits of establishing a waqf cannot be measured in terms of Kobo and nairas only. InshaAllah, the benefits will accrue to you, the Muslim ummah as a collective, the poor and disadvantaged in general, and, our country.
You are giving a “beautiful loan” (qard hassan) to Allah, for His pleasure. He will repay it to you in many ways. You are making a financial contribution which the Prophet (s.a.w.) said “will bring great reward to you”. It is a sadaqa jariya which brings you continuous thawaab until the day of Qiyama.