Learn about the role of Waqf in sustaining charitable work and its impact on societies
Waqf plays a transformative role in sustaining charity work not just for the benefit of wider society, but also for you.
Why give charity?
Charity is one of the most noble of human values, reflecting the desire to help others and improve their lives. Socially, charity takes many forms, including making donations, volunteering and providing services, among many others.
Charity is embodied in various forms; including donations, participation in volunteer work, providing services to those in need, among many others.
Charity is one of the five pillars of Islam and is emphasised in the Qur’an, including in the context of multiple benefits:
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah is that of a grain that sprouts into seven ears, each bearing one hundred grains. And Allah multiplies the reward even more to whoever He wills. For Allah is All-Bountiful, All-Knowing.” (Al Baqarah: 261)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also emphasised many ways of giving charity and receiving multiple rewards:
“He who called (people) to righteousness, there would be reward (assured) for him like the rewards of those who adhered to it, without their rewards being diminished in any respect. And he who called (people) to error, he shall have to carry (the burden) of its sin, like those who committed it, without their sins being diminished in any respect.” (Hadith, Sahih Muslim)
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said,
"There is a (compulsory) sadaqa (charity) to be given for every joint of the human body (as a sign of gratitude to Allah), every day the sun rises. To judge justly between two persons is regarded as sadaqa, and to help a man concerning his riding animal by helping him to ride it or by lifting his luggage on to it, is also regarded as sadaqa, and (saying) a good word is also sadaqa, and every step taken on one's way to offer the compulsory prayer (in the mosque) is also sadaqa and to remove a harmful thing from the way is also sadaqa." (Hadith, Sahih Bukhari)
Solidarity
Charity work promotes solidarity and cooperation among members of society, nurturing a sense of shared responsibility towards each other and towards society as a whole.
Justice
Charity is a way of contributing to reducing social gaps and achieving justice by providing opportunities and resources to those who don’t have them.
Community
Charity strengthens a sense of belonging and loyalty, bringing different people together to build stronger communities.
Achievement
Individuals who take part in charity work feel a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment in helping and supporting others.
Compassion
Charity is a means of promoting and developing human values and qualities such as compassion, generosity, and solidarity.
Contentment
Charity work has a positive impact on mental health as it helps reduce stress and anxiety and increases feelings of happiness, contentment and gratitude.
Charity is the essence of humanity, stemming from our innate compassion and generosity as human beings, and reflecting the social solidarity we need to thrive and survive as communities. Waqf is the embodiment of that spirit, transforming individual giving into sustainable charity that has a greater positive impact in society.
A charitable Waqf is a special type of charity that uses the revenue from a donated sum of money, property, or other asset, to bring benefit to others. The donated assets are invested permanently and the proceeds resulting from their investment are used to support charitable projects in a more sustainable way.
Charitable Waqf in today’s world
There has been a significant increase in the use of the charitable Waqf model as a means of achieving sustainable development and improving people’s quality of life. Waqf has many advantages in terms of long-term social impact, making it an attractive option for individuals and institutions looking for investment opportunities that reflect their values and principles.
Charitable Waqf is a fundamental pillar for the sustainability of charity work and achieving long term social and humanitarian benefit. By investing in Waqf, individuals and institutions can play an effective role in building more prosperous societies through sustainable development.
