WAQF. The Arabic term waqf (pl. awqāf) denotes in Islamic law the act of founding an endowment, the endowment itself, and also the endowment institution. A synonym, mainly used by Mālikī jurists, and hence in North Africa, is ḥabs, ḥubs, ḥubūs, ḥabīs (pl. aḥbās). The literal meaning of both roots is "stop," "block," or "suspend." In the context of the endowment institution, these terms refer to the legal situation of the property (al-ʿayn), which by the act of endowing is blocked from taking part in any commercial transaction, while its yields (al-manfaʿah) are devoted to charitable purposes.

The waqf is conceived of as a continuous, voluntary charity for the sake of Allāh and his religion. The founding of endowments is highly recommended to believers, and they are promised rewards for their meritorious acts in the here-after.

For a long...