The role of Islamic Waqf in the health sector
Muslims have made significant contributions to medicine and the healthcare sector over time, and competed to establish hospitals and health clinics as Waqfs that would serve local neighbourhoods and the wider community for centuries.
The merit of Waqf for healthcare
Healthcare centres and hospitals across Islamic cities and regions relied heavily on Waqf resources. Specific Awqaf (plural of Waqf) were established and dedicated to build hospitals, fund them, and supply them with necessary medicines and treatment equipment. The health centres supported by Awqaf varied and included six types:
Large hospitals supported by Waqf in Islamic history
he first large hospital in Islamic civilisation was the Bimaristan established by Harun al-Rashid (170-193 AH) in Baghdad. Among the hospitals built in Baghdad was the hospital of the Lady, the mother of the Caliph Al-Muqtadir Billah. Known as the Lady's Hospital, it was inaugurated on the first day of Muharram 203 AH. Al-Muqtadir also established another hospital in Baghdad, known as the Muqtadiri Hospital. Large hospitals multiplied and spread, and by the beginning of the fourth century, Baghdad alone had five hospitals.
The Muslims' care for health services and their development was such that Awqaf were designated for building complete medical districts like the Maristan market in Baghdad. It was centred around a palace surrounded by gardens and various houses. All of these were Awqaf dedicated to serving the patients. Physicians, pharmacists, and medical students worked there, and their expenses were covered by the Waqf funds spread throughout Baghdad.
Historical books discussed hospitals established in Egypt through Waqf funds, including a hospital built by Al-Fath ibn Khaqan, the Abbasid Caliph Al-Mutawakkil's minister. There was also a hospital built by the Prince of Egypt, Ahmad ibn Tulun, named after him. He endowed many properties for its expenses and built baths for men and women.
Among the most famous hospitals of the Ayyubid and Mamluk era was that established by Salahuddin Al-Ayyubi. Historians and travellers also mentioned the hospital built by King Qalawun in Egypt, who made it a Waqf for treating Muslim patients.
An old photo of Sidy Faraj Hospital in Fez, Morocco
Many hospitals and health facilities were found in the cities of Al-Andalus, with fifty hospitals in Cordoba alone, endowed and funded by caliphs, princes, and the wealthy.
Awqaf played a significant role in supporting healthcare in Morocco, with large hospitals established in major cities, widely discussed by historians.
Among the most significant was the Sidi Faraj Hospital in Fez, founded by the Marinid Sultan Yusuf bin Ya'qub, which was extensively endowed to fund its operations and care for patients.
Interestingly, part of the Waqf for Sidi Faraj Hospital was designated for treating storks, and a portion for musicians who visited the hospital once a week to entertain patients.
Health centres
These are medical centres providing health services to residents of a single neighbourhood, often located near mosques or the grand mosque.
Mobile clinics
There are two types of mobile clinics commonly supported by Waqf:
Prison hospitals
These are clinics attached to the prison administration to provide essential health services to inmates and care for them.
Specialist hospitals
Muslims established specialised hospitals for certain diseases, including leprosy hospitals for isolating and treating patients away from society, and psychiatric hospitals dedicated to clinically and psychologically treating mental health patients.
The health services provided by these medical centres, including treatment, surgeries, medicines, and food, were free thanks to the Awqaf Muslims allocated for these humanitarian purposes.
