Foreword

The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is attaching special importance to Islamic Waqf, owing to their substantial contribution to the promotion of mutual support and solidarity among Muslim individuals and institutions, as well as social and economic development. Bearing in mind this reality, the Islamic Organization focussed, in its programmes and activities, on Islamic Waqf as a deep-seated religious tradition geared to boost social solidarity. In this connection, the Organization held several symposia and attended numerous international meetings on Waqf and Zakat, as part of an endeavour to promote these social systems which had their impact on Muslim societies and communities across history.

Under this specific Programme, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization issued a series of books and monographs destined to upgrade the working methods in the field of Waqf and to analyse the results and findings of recent studies conducted on Islamic Waqf, the purpose being to energise and develop the Islamic institution of Waqf and consolidate its contribution to the development of the contemporary Muslim society.

To highlight the paramount importance of Waqf, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the General Secretariat of Waqf in the State of Kuwait are offering this book on “Islamic Waqf Endowment: scope and implications” which traces back the history of Waqf since its inception, as early as the age of the Prophet Mohamed Peace Be Upon Him, and its contribution to the edification of the Islamic civilization. The book also addressees the present weaknesses of Waqf and the ways to stimulate Islamic Waqf action and gear it to redress the major economic and social problems posed to the entire humanity, such as poverty, unemployment, diseases, etc. Further still, the book is intended to affirm the efficiency of the systems of Islamic mutual support  and their contribution to the progress and advancement of human societies at large.

The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the General Secretariat of Waqf in the State of Kuwait are presenting this book to specialized researchers  and the general readership hoping that it would meet their needs and be useful in promoting their Islamic culture. They also express their thanks to the author, Dr. Ahmed Rissouni, Professor at the Department of Islamic Studies in the Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences, Mohamed V University in Rabat, praying the Almighty Allah to bless these works which service the general well-being of the Islamic Ummah.

'And say: Work (righteousness), soon will God observe your work, and his Apostle, and the Believers'.

May God grant us success!