What does waqf mean?
A waqf is an enduring charitable or religious endowment established under Islamic law. It may involve property, land, money, or other assets whose income is devoted to a defined purpose, such as education, healthcare, relief of the poor, or maintenance of a religious institution. Unlike an ordinary donation, a waqf is generally intended to preserve the dedication of the endowed resources rather than transfer them for unrestricted private use. The institution receiving the endowment is known as a waqf, particularly in historical and legal writing. Waqf has an important social history because such foundations have often funded mosques, schools, hospitals, fountains, and other public facilities. In modern English, the word is most common in legal, religious, and historical contexts. Plural forms include both awqaf and waqfs, with awqaf reflecting the Arabic plural.
nounA charitable or religious endowment established under Islamic law, typically through the permanent dedication of property or funds to a specified purpose. The income produced is used for that purpose, often public welfare, education, healthcare, or the support of a religious institution.
- A charitable or religious endowment under Islamic law.
- The property, funds, or other assets dedicated as such an endowment.
"The family established a waqf to provide scholarships for students in the town."
"The revenue from the waqf supports a neighborhood clinic and a school library."
"Under the terms of the religious waqf, the property cannot be sold or redirected to private use."
The plural awqaf reflects the Arabic plural; waqfs is also accepted in English.
"Several historic waqfs supported schools and hospitals across the city."
A waqf can preserve wealth in public service: even a well may be endowed to provide water for a community.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of waqf
Waqf comes from Arabic وقف, associated with the root meaning to stop, stand still, or remain fixed. In Islamic legal usage, the word developed from the idea of devoting property permanently to a charitable or religious purpose. English borrowed it through Arabic and South Asian legal and scholarly usage; the South Asian variant wakf reflects the same Arabic source.
Related word forms
How waqf is actually used
The term is primarily used in Islamic law, religious studies, and historical scholarship. It has specific legal and religious connotations and should not be treated as a general synonym for any charitable donation.