وقف

التعريف

An irrevocable dedication of property or assets under Islamic law for charitable, religious, or family purposes. Once a waqf is established, the dedicated property cannot be sold, gifted, or inherited — it is held in perpetuity for the designated beneficiaries. Waqf plays a significant role in GCC real estate and estate planning: waqf properties are exempt from inheritance distribution under Sharia succession rules, making waqf an important tool for wealth preservation and philanthropic structuring. In the UAE, waqf is regulated by Federal Law No. 5 of 2018 and administered by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf). Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Awqaf manages one of the world's largest waqf portfolios.