Waqf

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A religious donation in Islam intended for public welfare, where the initial asset is preserved and the returns are allocated for specific community benefits
2. A property gifted for charitable purposes under Islamic law, ensuring that the original asset is maintained and its gains support designated causes
3. An Islamic trust where property is permanently dedicated to charitable or religious activities without selling the original asset

Etymology: Waqf comes from the Arabic verb "waqafa," meaning "to stop" or "to hold back," and the noun's root sense is that of holding something in place. In Islamic law, a waqf is an endowment in which a property, such as land, a building or a fund, is permanently withdrawn from ordinary sale or inheritance and dedicated to a charitable purpose. The founder gives up ownership of the asset itself, which is kept intact, while its income supports things like mosques, schools, hospitals or water supplies. The English word was borrowed directly from Arabic, and it has stayed close to its legal sense. Its meaning in English is tied to the Islamic institution rather than to any general idea of holding or stopping, so readers encountering it will usually find it used in discussions of Islamic law, property and philanthropy.