In Phase 3, Muis will continue to provide certain essential services (Emergency Zakat Financial Assistance, Zakat, Fidyah and Kaffarah enquiries and payment, Appeal Board - Filing of notice, petition and record of appeal and payment) at its counters. For other services, kindly visit https://www.muis.gov.sg/Contact-Info
Definition
Literally Wakaf means to stop, contain or to preserve. In shariah, a Wakaf (plural: awqaf) is a sadaqah jariyyah (recurring / ongoing charity), a voluntary charitable endowment, from ones’ personal belongings or wealth in the form of cash / property for shariah compliant causes.
Its purposes must be:
Once it is dedicated as a Wakaf, the ownership of the asset is transferred to Allah s.w.t allowing a perpetual use for charity.
Wakaf has been, throughout centuries, one of the cornerstones of the Islamic economic system. It provided education, health services, water, travelers’ lodges, clinics and hospitals, environmental protection, mosques, madrasahs, universities, and several other public utilities.
It was in fact a decentralized privatization of public amenities that were run by the private sector rather than bureaucratic governments. Moreover, Wakaf provided for the needs of progenies and families by the creation of family Wakaf (Wakaf Ahli).
Indeed Wakaf was a major contributor to the Islamic gift economy promoted and propagated by the Prophet s.a.w. and to the growth and development of Islamic Civilisation which still benefits humanity to this day.
The yields from Wakaf serve as a continuous income (perpetuity) for the community and can be used to finance activities of the Muslim community in general.
The sole purpose for establishment of Wakaf is for the development and welfare of the Muslim community based on religious principles and the spirit of Fardhu Kifayah. Funds (as per written will of Wakif) from the Wakaf are generally used for:
Under Islamic law the beneficiaries of a Wakaf can be Wakif himself, family and descendants of the Wakif, mosques, institutions and organisations and general public.
MUIS as regulators of the Wakaf assets in Singapore are strongly obligated to develop and make good the Wakaf properties under MUIS’s care to enhance the socio-religious well-being of the Singapore Muslim community.
From an Islamic law perspective there is no objection to redevelop i.e. Wakaf Jabr, Wakaf Kassim and Wakaf Abdul Hamid and there is no breach of religiosity for MUIS to develop a company to redevelop Wakaf properties should there be no other better way. This is intended to save the Wakaf property from extinction.
Wakaf making was recommended, approved and practiced by Prophet s.a.w. and the noble Sahaba (companions) r.a. and the generations that followed.
The Prophet s.a.w. said;
“When the son of Adam dies, his actions come to an end except for three; sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity), knowledge which brought benefit and a pious child who makes supplication for him.”
Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah r.a. (Riwayat Imam Muslim)