Women are disproportionately affected by disasters and often suffer the worst effects of poverty in multiple ways due to socioeconomic and cultural factors, as well as being at risk of gender-based violence. With poorer access to education and greater caring duties, their income levels are usually lower than men, increasing their vulnerability.
Waqf for women plays a vital role in supporting women who bear the responsibility of providing for their families. This initiative contributes to improving the quality of life for women and their families by providing them with financial, social and psychological support. By creating more opportunities for education, training and work, this Waqf project helps women achieve greater independence and prosperity, enhancing the stability of the community as a whole.
The importance of women’s Waqf in Islamic history
Throughout Islamic history women have played an important role in promoting charitable deeds and the development of economic and social activities in different sectors of life.
The Waqf model was used by women to support charitable actions in society, particularly by wealthy women who endowed mosques, schools, libraries and fountains in different countries.
This stems from the principle of women being equal members of society and having the right to own their own wealth in Islam, and the freedom to donate it as they please.
The world's oldest continually operating university, the University of Al-Qarawiyyin, was founded by a Muslim woman, Fatima al-Fihri, in Fez, Morocco in the 9th century. She used her inheritance to establish the institution as a place that offered both a religious and secular curriculum and where students could live as well as learn.
To ensure the sustainability of the university, Fatima established a Waqf endowment so that revenue from properties and businesses would continue to fund the university.
As was her desire in establishing the Waqf, many great scholars have benefited from the institution over time and continue to do so until this day.
In today’s society, Waqf for women can help empower women once again so that they can not only support themselves and their families economically but contribute to the wider benefit of society.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“The best of people are those who are most beneficial to people”
(Hadith, al-Tabarani).
He also said, “The one who strives on behalf of the widow and the poor is like the one who fights in the cause of Allah, or the one who stands in prayer at night and fasts during the day” (Hadith, Bukhari).
In many regions experiencing wars, armed conflicts and natural disasters, we find that the conditions of women, in particular, deteriorate day by day; especially if they lose the breadwinner or the man in their lives, whether through death or separation. This is usually paired with them consequently experiencing marginalisation, exploitation and unemployment. Hence, there is an urgent need to support these women and empower them economically in order to contribute to social development.
This requires initially working on discovering their talents and capabilities, investing in them to develop them, and supporting them to rely on themselves and open their own projects in order to achieve self-sufficiency and refrain from depending on the help of others; and here is where this waqf, which invests in this noble cause, through microfinance programs, gains its importance.
The main objective of this Waqf, which focuses on helping female heads of households, is to prepare and support them financially and professionally to become active members in their communities.
This is done by enabling them to earn money and utilise it in economic and developmental activities, including through training and microfinance loans. At IBW we believe this benefits not just the wider family but society as a whole, whilst taking one step closer to justice and solidarity.
You can donate on this page through the link above, or you can make a donation to the women’s Waqf through the ‘Donate a Share’ page. Your donation will be invested in many low risk economic projects that are compatible with the principles of Islamic Shariah.
Their proceeds will then be used to fund our services that aim to achieve familial development, and the empowerment of women to be active members of their societies. This Waqf is characterised by lasting rewards for the donor and lasting benefit for society.
When you donate shares in the women’s Waqf, IBW invests these funds in low risk projects that comply with the principles of Islamic Sharia and then spends its proceeds on financing women to start their own projects to generate income, reducing their dependence on others and vulnerability in the face of disasters.
Your donation helps us to provide a helping hand in lifting women out of poverty, supporting them to engage in training and economic and development programmes that help them meet their financial needs. Whether this is done through sewing or agricultural projects, setting up small shops or businesses, raising poultry or beekeeping, your donation will help give women a sustainable source of income.
