Fatwa ID: 08114

Answered by: Maulana Altaf Hossen Canada.

Question: 

Asalmualykum Mufti Saab. I hope all is well. I had a question about the topic of waqf. I understand that if someone were to donate a mushaf to the masjid for the sake of Allah intending that it is for the masjid. This now becomes a waqf. My question is that if a masjid itself purchases مصاحف for the masjid, I believe this is also a waqf? Is that true? My follow up question is that: Some people may not have a certain print of the Quran. However, when they come to the masjid, they see a print that they really like but cannot find anywhere. They ask if they can take it. Should permission be given to take that copy of the Quran home?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer: Wa Alaikum Assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

This question is regarding waqf (endowment) and its rulings.

First part: Is the mushaf purchased by the masjid considered a waqf?

Answer: Yes, if a masjid purchases copies of the Quran (muṣḥaf- مصاحف ) for use in the masjid, these automatically become waqf. This is because items bought with the intention of being used in the masjid for worship, learning, or other Islamic purposes fall under the category of waqf. The masjid holds these items as trust property dedicated to Allah, and their use must align with the purpose of the waqf.(1)

The second part: Can a person take a waqf mushaf home if they like it and cannot find a similar print elsewhere?

Answer: No, it is not permissible to take a waqf item, including a mushaf, out of the masjid for personal use without proper authorization. Once an item becomes waqf, it is dedicated solely for the purpose it was intended for—here, the communal benefit of those who come to the masjid. Removing it from the masjid would be considered a breach of waqf rules. (2)

In a nutshell, if someone wishes to have a similar copy, they should try to find out the source of the mushaf (e.g., the publisher or the supplier) and obtain it separately. Alternatively, the masjid administration may help by sharing details or even facilitating the purchase of similar copies for personal use.

Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.

Written by Maulana Altaf Hossen Canada.
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham

References:

(1) and (2) Book: حاشية رد المحتار، على الدر المختار: شرح تنوير الأبصار Writer: ه: محمد أمين، الشهير بابن عابدين -[مطلب في وقف المنقول قصدا] Publisher دار الفكر Topic: waqf Section: Volume: 6 Pages: 355 Maktab shamila

-[مطلب في وقف المنقول قصدا]
(قَوْلُهُ: وَإِنْ وَقَفَ عَلَى الْمَسْجِدِ جَازَ) ظَاهِرُهُ أَنَّهُ لَا يُشْتَرَطُ فِيهِ كَوْنُ أَهْلِهِ مِمَّنْ يُحْصَوْنَ؛ لِأَنَّ الْوَقْفَ عَلَى الْمَسْجِدِ لَا عَلَى أَهْلِهِ كَمَا هُوَ الْمُتَبَادَرُ مِنْ الْمُقَابَلَةِ، وَلَعَلَّ وَجْهَهُ أَنَّهُ يَصِيرُ كَالتَّنْصِيصِ عَلَى التَّأْبِيدِ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْوَقْفِ عَلَى عِمَارَةِ مَسْجِدٍ مُعَيَّنٍ فَإِنَّهُ يَصِحُّ فِي الْمُخْتَارِ لِتَأَبُّدِهِ مَسْجِدًا كَمَا قَدَّمْنَاهُ عِنْدَ قَوْلِهِ وَيَجْعَلُ آخِرَهُ لِجِهَةِ قُرْبَةٍ (قَوْلُهُ: وَلَا يَكُونُ مَحْصُورًا عَلَى هَذَا الْمَسْجِدِ) هَذَا ذُكِرَ فِي الْخُلَاصَةِ بِقَوْلِهِ وَفِي مَوْضِعٍ آخَرَ وَلَا يَكُونُ إلَخْ أَيْ وَذُكِرَ فِي كِتَابٍ آخَرَ فَهُوَ قَوْلٌ آخَرُ مُقَابِلٌ لِقَوْلِهِ: وَيَقْرَأُ فِيهِ، فَإِنَّ ظَاهِرَهُ أَنَّهُ يَكُونُ مَقْصُورًا عَلَى ذَلِكَ الْمَسْجِ

(2)
(قَوْلُهُ: وَيَزُولُ مِلْكُهُ عَنْ الْمَسْجِدِ إلَخْ) اعْلَمْ أَنَّ الْمَسْجِدَ يُخَالِفُ سَائِرَ الْأَوْقَافِ فِي عَدَمِ اشْتِرَاطِ التَّسْلِيمِ إلَى الْمُتَوَلِّ