Brief history of waqf: the Ottoman Empire / Dahlia Ibrahim and Zuraidah Mohamed Isa

• Main Authors: Ibrahim, Dahlia (Author), Mohamed Isa, Zuraidah (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Faculty of Business & Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Kedah, 2021.
• Subjects: Article; PeerReviewed
• Online Access: Link Metadata
• Notes: https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/56287/1/56287.pdf
• Keywords: Waqf. Awqāf. Charities. Endowments; Islamic sociology

There was general agreement among scholars on the importance of waqf in modern Muslim society, where it can help reduce government spending and reduce the government's deficit. Directly, it has the potential to improve the growth of government investment. The waqf system will fulfill this function through voluntary donations from wealthy individuals. In a community with a more equitable distribution of wealth, voluntary donation is intended to benefit the community. During the Ottoman Empire, waqf had played a significant role in its socioeconomic growth prior to the 20th century. As a result of the waqf's funding, this empire's civilization was established. When the Ottoman Empire was in power, the imaret system 1 was developed and controlled by the waqf system. Most hospitals in the 11th century were funded by waqf funds. Over a period of decades, the Ottoman Empire set a precedent for poverty eradication by waqf. In the past, the waqf of the Ottoman Empire was a major contributor to its economy. According to Saduman and Aysun (2009), Istanbul, Bursa, Edirne, Amasya, and Manisa are new districts of old cities formed by the waqf system. In addition, both researchers agreed that the waqf played a crucial role in the Ottoman Empire's rise to prominence. Senkaya (2012) mentions that the waqf built houses, shops, inns, storerooms, orchards, bakeries, and agricultural property in the eighteenth century. During this time, these establishments served approximately 30,000 people. In Istanbul, the Suleymaniye Kulliyesi, the Kirkcesme Water Channels, and the Selimiye Mosque are examples of waqf-financed public works. Waqf was granted for their construction in the years 1558, 1564, and 1574.