Waqf is an Islamic charitable endowment that benefits a community for years to come, sometimes even forever. Examples of a waqf could be a farming field, which produces harvest after harvest; or a water well, providing free clean drinking water for generations; or a hospital treating the community for years to come. Established in the time of the Prophet ﷺ, waqf is also a sunnah.
By supporting a community for years to come, waqf also provides blessings to the person who donates it, for as long as their charity helps others, making it a form of Sadaqah Jariyah.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “When a person dies, their deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), knowledge that is benefited from, or a righteous child who prays for them.”
(Sahih Muslim)
The Origins of waqf
Waqf is an Islamic form of charity, which began 1,400 years ago during the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Quba Mosque in Medina, the clock tower of Mecca, and al-Qarawiyyin Mosque in Fes are some of the first Waqf endowments made, which still serve Muslims today, hundreds of years later.
Ruma Well in Medina
One of the most famous examples of waqf was the Well of Ruma in Medina. It was purchased by Uthman ibn Affan, a companion of the Prophet ﷺ when poor people were being charged high prices for water. He bought it for the community, offering free, clean water for all, and its water still flows today. With the proceeds from selling dates on the surrounding land, a hotel has been built, with profits funding charitable projects today.
Waqf – your legacy in the hereafter
When you donate to The Waqf Fund, your share is pooled with other supporters to invest in assets that produce an income. Much like the date orchard by Uthman’s well, the income generated from your Waqf donation will be used to support education, healthcare, and relief projects year after year. One share of £100 grows year after year, helping more people, and continuing to benefit them, and you, long after you are gone.
How waqf works today
In its earliest format, donating a waqf meant gifting land, trees or a well as a one-off gift. More recently, waqf has developed to allow people to put forward an amount of money as the waqf itself, with strict regulation and in compliance with Sharia. The cash waqf may never be owned, as it is a donation in the name of Allah. Much like the date orchard that generates an income by Ruma Well, the profits are used to help the ummah.
Give £100 today,
and help 60 people a year 10 years from now.
How your Waqf grows
You donate a share (or shares). One share is £100. We pool your donation and invest it in a property for businesses to rent, generating an income. Currently our properties bring in an average of 7% profit each year. With money generated from your Waqf, we’re able to help an average of 3 people by providing different services such as food, healthcare or education. We reinvest a portion of the returns and your Waqf can support 40 people by year 10 through the schools, wells and hospitals you’re helping to fund. This waqf continues to grow even after you’ve passed on, helping more people, a blessing for you and a legacy in the hereafter
Today!
donate a share for £100
10 Years
Over 40 people supported per year through the schools, wells, and hospitals you’re helping to fund.
50 Years
Even if you’ve passed on, your Waqf continues to grow.
First Year
helps 3 people by providing food, healthcare, or education.
20 Years
your initial waqf continue to multiply, helping 150 people per year, multiplying your benefits.
The characteristics of waqf
1. It can’t be undone. The donation is final. The waqf is considered owned by Allah and is not for personal gain.
2. The waqf donation is intended to last forever, with the asset donated (in this case the donation of cash) always stays intact.
3. For a specific purpose; you must specify for orphans, water, livelihoods, and the money generated may never go anywhere else.
4. Transparently managed – our reporting ensures you know your waqf is being used as intended.
5. Managed by a trustee, in this case The Waqf Fund.
Why give via The Waqf Fund?
Waqf charity continues to support communities year after year. Our waqf model invests in carefully selected, low-risk, Sharia-compliant assets, with the annual profit used to support vulnerable people through education, clean water, and healthcare. A small portion of the profit is re-invested, allowing your waqf to grow each year, continuing to help more people.
Ready to invest in your akhirah?
