The Role of Al-Awqāf (Islamic Endowments) in Poverty Alleviation and Community Development in the Nigerian Context

Abstract

Al-Waqf (endowment) is a form of charity in Islam. Among its special features is that it is permanent and irrevocable while its benefits also go from one generation to another. It involves the transfer of property from the original owner to the cause of Allah. It is as old as the practice of Islam. At the beginning, simple assets such as farmlands, wells and orchards were endowed. Charity, in this respect, may include building of centers for education, hospitals, public facilities and residential houses in modern time. Regrettably, the practice of al-waqf is no more as popular as it was in the past. Although, rich people among Nigerian Muslims used to donate during their lifetimes for personal or community projects. In most cases, those projects die with their death since no portion of their wealth is endowed for them. This article therefore looked into the relevance of al-waqf as takāful-ijtimā‘i (social insurance) product at present. It examined the definition, significance, conditions of validity and administration of al-waqf. The study revealed that al-waqf can bring about a positive change, meaningful development and transformation in helping the poor and the needy in the community. It suggests that al-waqf should be integrated in the takāful (insurance) practices.

Notes

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6. A.A Āl Bassām, Taisīru Al-Allāmi Sharhu ʻUmdatu Al-Ahkāmi, Addamām: dāru Adh-Dhakhāiri, 1426 AH / 2005, v. 2 p. 699.

7. Sālihu Al-Fawzān, al-Mulakhazu Al-Fiqhi, p. 378 also Al-Mawsūʻatu Al-Fiqhiyyah, v. 44 p. 108.

8. A.A Āl Bassām, Taisīru Al-Allāmi, op. cit., v. 2, p. 700.

9. ʻAbdu-Rahmān I Doi, Sharʻīah the Islamic Law, Saudi Arabia: ʻAbdul Qasim Book store, 1404 AH, p. 339.

10. Muslim An-Naisāburi, Al-Jāmiʻāu As-Sahīhu; Sahīhu Muslim, Beirut: dāru Al-Jail wa Al-Āfāqi Al-Jadīdah, v. 5 p.73, hadīthno. 4310.

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12. Al-Fawzān Sālihu, al-Mulakhazu Al-Fiqhi, op. cit., p. 378.

13. A.A, Āl Bassām, Taisīru Al-Allāmi Sharhu op., cit., v. 2 p. 706 and Al-Mawsūʻatu Al-Fiqhiyyah, v. 44 p. 119.

14. A.A Āl Bassām, Taisīru Al-Allāmi Sharhu op. cit., v. 2 p. 706 and Al-Mawsūʻatu Al-Fiqhiyyah, op. cit., v. 44 p. 194.

15. Ibid., v. 44 p. 153.

16. Al-Fawzān Sālihu, al-Mulakhazu Al-Fiqhi, op. cit., p. 378.

17. Al-Fawzān Sālihu, al-Mulakhazu Al-Fiqhi, p. 378 and ʻAbdu-Rahmān I. Doi Sharʻīah the Islamic Law, op. cit., p. 340.

18. See sūratu An-Nisāi 4: 29 and Ibn Mājah Al-Qzwīni, Sunanu Ibn Mājah, ed. Mahmūd Khalīl, Maktabatu Al-Muʻāti (nd), v. 3 p. 305, hadīthno. 2185.

19. Al-Mawsūʻatu Al-Fiqhiyyah, op. cit., v. 44 p. 122.

20. Ibid., v. 44 p. 204–210.

21. Eleyinla, personal communication, 23/03/2013.

22. 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules with Amendments 2011.

23. Dr. Khidru Mustapha, personal communication, 23/03/2013.

24. Dr. Adetona, personal communication, 23/03/2013.

25. Ustāz Mikāil and Eleyinerin, personal communication, 21/03/2013.

26. Dr. Shaikh Luqman Jimoh), personal communication, 19/03/2013.