Key verse: "You will never attain righteousness until you donate what you love." (3:92)
Reason for evidencing endowments: When this verse was revealed, Abu Talha al-Ansari said: "My dearest property is Bayraha' — it is charity for Allah's sake." The Prophet (peace be upon him) affirmed it and directed it to his closest relatives → the first waqf in Islam (Bukhari 1461).
Definition of Waqf: Preserving the asset and dedicating its benefit to charitable purposes — permanently or temporarily.
Jurisprudential conditions:
- The property must be of recognized value and identifiable.
- Permanence: a true waqf cannot be sold, gifted, or inherited.
- Beneficiary: specified (descendants) or charitable institution (mosque, school).
Types:
- Charitable (khayri): Directly for a charitable purpose — mosque, hospital, library.
- Family (ahli/dhurri): To descendants first, then to charity.
Significance: Waqf is a Sharia mechanism for sustainable development — a "continuous charity" benefiting the Ummah generation after generation.
Question: What verse is used as evidence for waqf? What is the story of the first endowment in Islam?
Answer: "You will never attain righteousness until you donate what you love" — Abu Talha then dedicated Bayraha' as an endowment, and the Prophet approved it.