The Development of Waqf in the Middle East and its Role in Pioneering Contemporary Islamic Civilization: A Historical Approach

Abstract

This article focuses on the history of the development of waqf (endowment) in the Middle East and its role in pioneering contemporary Islamic civilization. Waqf has been a supporting pillar for the upholding of the social-religious institutions of society for centuries. The method taken in this research is the historical-phenomenological approach. The result shows that waqf began to be known and practiced since the Prophet Muhammad built the Quba and the Nabawi Mosque. The same was further promoted by the Righteous Caliphs (Khulafa al-Rashidin) and the caliphs afterward. In the next period, waqf became rapidly developing in the Middle Eastern countries, such as Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Sudan, Kuwait, and Syria. The development of waqf is not only in religious facilities but also in agricultural land, plantations, educational institutions, apartments, money, and shares. All of them are managed productively, and their use varies greatly. Waqf played an urgent role even in pioneering contemporary Islamic civilization. There are two patterns of management of waqf assets for the development of Islamic civilization: first, the development of waqf for social activities, such as waqf for social justice, people's welfare, education development, health facilities, public policy advocacy, legal assistance, environmental preservation, the development of arts and culture and other programs; second, development of economic value, such as for the development of trade, industry, property purchase, and other economic activities.Keywords: Endowments, Development of Waqf, Social Activities, Contemporary Islamic Civilization

Bibliometric Mapping on Maqasid Shariah in Waqf Implementation

“…Meanwhile, Kasdi et al (2022) explaining that waqf has contributed to the early stages of Islamic civilization. So that the role of waqf institutions can be more significant, the potential for raising funds for waqf needs to be balanced with advancements in the fields of distribution and utilization.…”

Community economic empowerment through mosque management to improve people's welfare

“…The blood section includes planning, organizing, and implementing the organization of the mosque; the emirate section is the realm for prospering the mosque, fostering the community and improving the welfare of the community; and the riayah section includes the maintenance of the mosque. This division aims to make Ta'mir know the realm of Mosque Management that must be managed so that the Chairperson of Ta'mir can divide the management structure as needed (Suratkon, Chan and Tuan Ab Rahman, 2014;Kasdi et al, 2022;Waston, Ridha and Kumaidi, 2023).…”

Analisis Waqf Management Tahun 2018-2022 Menggunakan Pendekatan Bibliometrik

“…Secara ideologis, wakaf merupakan kebaikan, kebajikan, dan bukti persaudaran sesama muslim yang bisa dijadikan dana abadi untuk menyejahterakan umat muslim (Medias, 2017). Penelitian juga menunjukkan bahwa wakaf dapat mengatasi permasalahan kemiskinan di berbagai daerah pedesaan (Kasdi et al, 2022). Secara historis, berbagai negara juga berhasil mengelola dana wakaf sebagai perbaikan ekonomi dan pendidikan, seperti di Mesir yang menjadikan wakaf sebagai suntikan dana di bidang properti, reklamasi tanah, dan pertanian, 75% lahan subur yang dapat ditanami di masa Khilafah Turki Usmani berasal dari wakaf, 50% lahan Aljazair pada masa penjajahan adalah tanah wakaf, 33% tanah di Tunisia juga berasal dari wakaf umat (Munir, 2013).…”