Waqf is a very common practice known by Muslims. The word waqf comes from the Arabic word waqafa, which means to hold or stay in place. Overall, waqf means an activity of charity in the form of property or permanent objects intended to benefit the community. What are the benefits of waqf for human life?
Benefits of Waqf
The benefits of waqf can be felt by all parties, both by the beneficiaries of waqf (mauquf alaih) and the giver of waqf (wakif). Mauquf alaih feels the benefits of waqf because their lives are helped. Meanwhile, the waqif feels the benefits of waqf, because waqf is included in the sadaqah jariyah, whose rewards will continue to flow until he dies.
In addition, there are still many benefits of waqf that can be felt by the waqif, among others:
Investing in the Hereafter
Investing capital in this world to gain profit in this world is a common thing. What about investing in this world, but reaping the benefits in the hereafter? This is the essence of waqf. Waqf is one way of investing for the hereafter.
Waqf is different from charity. Waqf is a jariyah charity, because the benefits generated from it will continue to flow, even though the waqf donor has passed away. The benefits of waqf are emphasized in the Qur’an:
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah is like that of those who sow a single seed that grows seven stalks, on each stalk a hundred seeds. Allah multiplies (the reward) for whom He wills. Allah is All-Wise and All-Knowing.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 261)
Read also: The Law of Cash Waqf and Its Benefits for the People
Strengthened Social Spirit
Another benefit of waqf that waqf donors can feel is a thickened social spirit. By doing waqf, we contribute to the environment and the wider community. For example, we donate a well in a water-scarce neighborhood. This facility can facilitate the community in meeting the need for clean water.
In addition, we can also donate movable objects such as the Qur’an or books of knowledge or medical equipment in hospitals to support the treatment of people who cannot afford it. When we see how the benefits of waqf touch the people in need, we will surely feel so happy. Thus, we want to do waqf again and again. Our social spirit will grow thicker and our hearts will soften.
Attachment to material possessions fades away
Waqf can help us avoid being arrogant. The next benefit of waqf is that it reminds us that the wealth we have is actually not ours, but only a trust from Allah SWT. That way, we will be more sincere in releasing our wealth for the benefit of the community by endowing it.
Helping Remote Communities Have Adequate Facilities
The government can’t always be counted on. Especially when they have to provide public facilities in areas that are still difficult to access. Herein lies the benefit of waqf for the community as well as for the waqif. By doing waqf, we can help the community to have facilities that they really need.
The facilities built through waqf do not have to be in the form of buildings. You can also donate knowledge books or cash waqf to help renovate educational facilities in the area.
Narrowing the Social Gap
The wide gap between the rich and the poor can be bridged by the practice of waqf. People who have more wealth can share their wealth through waqf to improve the lives of the less fortunate.
For example, by providing funds for scholarships that target underprivileged children so that they can continue their education. Or, it could be by building facilities to support productive activities that can help develop the economy of the villagers.
Read also: How to Invest while Sharing through Sukuk Wakaf
Terms of Waqf
Now that you know the benefits of waqf, it’s time to find out the requirements for waqf. This is important to note, because it will determine whether the waqf is valid or not. The conditions of waqf include:
- Wakif
The main requirement of waqf is the waqif. A waqif must have a sound mind, own property with clear origins, be willing to endow his property, and be free. - Mauquf Assets
Mauquf assets are assets that will be given as waqf. Before waqf, the mauquf asset must be ensured that it is a valuable asset, obtained from halal sources, and has a tangible form with clear origins. In addition, the mauquf asset must also be the full property of the waqif. - Mauquf alaih
The recipient of waqf assets must pledge explicitly and clearly that the mauquf assets will be used for the public interest or the needs of the people to worship. In addition, a mauquf alaih must also be able to explain the plan for using the mauquf assets entrusted by the waqif. - Shighat
Shighat is a waqf contract that is pledged orally or in writing. The execution of the shighat is done on the spot and is not limited in time. Once the shighat pledge is made, the waqf cannot be canceled.
Read also: Straightening the Waqf Paradigm
That’s a review of the benefits of waqf and things about waqf. If you intend to endow your wealth, you can channel your waqf through Dompet Dhuafa. This national amil zakat institution is an official waqf nazir registered with the Indonesian Waqf Board and authorized by the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs. For more than 20 years, Dompet Dhuafa has managed and distributed the benefits of waqf to various groups of beneficiaries.
If you donate waqf to Dompet Dhuafa, you will get a transparent and accountable report, so that it can be accounted for. With Dompet Dhuafa, doing waqf becomes easier!
