It is a sustainable, ongoing charitable endowment (such as Sadaqah Jariyah) which has been widely used throughout Islamic history to develop and support communities.

Is there interest involved in Waqf?

Never – this type of capital investment is strictly Sharia compliant.

What is an example of a famous Waqf?

Al Azhar Mosque and University in Egypt is one of the oldest universities in the world, it was established over 1,000 years ago as a Waqf donation.

Donate Waqf shares: Invest in your future

What is Waqf?

In Arabic, Waqf means to stop or contain. In Islamic terms, it is a religious endowment. This voluntary action is an ongoing dedication of one’s wealth to benefit a community. An example of this would be to build a hospital or a school.

A person can’t own a Waqf donation and it isn’t something that can be sold. The benefits of this donation continues through generations.

Donate Waqf shares

Waqf shares are invested in sharia compliant investments and the profits are then used to support our international development work, as well as a re-invested, to ensure it keeps growing, year-on-year.

General Waqf (£150 per share)

Help us save and transform lives through an ongoing Waqf.

Orphans Waqf (£150 per share)

Provide ongoing essential health services in the world's poorest regions.

Water Waqf (£150 per share)

Help provide communities with water for life.

Education Waqf (£150 per share)

Provide a sustainable solution to accessing education for the most vulnerable children.

Health Waqf (£150 per share)

Provide ongoing essential health services in the world's poorest regions.

Ramadan Waqf (£600 per share)

Provide Ramadan food packs for a family every year.

Waqf Deed Certificate (optional)

When you donate a waqf share, we can send out a waqf deed certificate in the name of the person the waqf has been donated. To receive a Waqf deed certificate, please provide the name(s) below.

Full Name of person 1 (optional)

Full Name of person 2 (optional)

⚠️ Nothing to donate - please add at least one entry!

Total:

£0

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Waqf with Islamic Relief

Islamic Relief delivers Waqf through its subsidiary, International Waqf Fund. Donations are put into Sharia compliant investments and the profits are used to support our international development work. Furthermore, donations are also re-invested to aid growth.

Origins of Waqf

Some of the Muhajiroon didn’t like the water of Madinah as it was hard to drink. They were more used to the sweet Zamzam water in Makkah. In Madinah there was a well called Rumah and its water tasted similar to Zamzam. However, the owner of the well was greedy and charged people for even a handful of water.

The Prophet (SAW) offered a garden in Paradise for the one who would buy the well. When Uthman (RA) heard this, he purchased the well after lengthy negotiations and left it as an endowment.

Over time, date palms grew around the well and the authorities sold the dates. The sale of dates has produced a healthy income and many people around the world have benefitted from it.

The water well has since benefited lots of people, all adding to the good deeds of a man that passed away over a thousand years ago.

Waqf in the Quran

It is not explicitly prescribed in the Qur’an, however charity is.

Building on the importance of Zakat as a pillar of Islam and the need to give in charity, Waqf can be considered similar to Sadaqah – including Sadaqah Jariyah.

Hadith emphasise the importance of the Islamic duty to give in charity.

The Prophet (SAW) said:

“When a person dies, all their deeds end except three: a continuing charity, beneficial knowledge and a child who prays for them.” [Muslim]

In light of this, Waqf investments are an important part of Islam and many examples can be found throughout Islamic history.

Types of Waqf

Waqfs can be used for a range of purposes for the benefit of a community, including:

Learning institutes

Such as schools and universities.

Plots of land

Mosques

Offices

Hospitals

This includes doctors’ salaries, medicine, equipment and repairs.

Medical schools

This includes building maintenance and salaries.

The investments must be for the benefit of the public.

Invest in your future and help save lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

We ensure our content is reviewed and verified by qualified scholars to provide you with the most accurate information. This webpage was last reviewed by Sheikh Saalim Al-Azhari.

Page last reviewed: 24 March 2023

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