India, April 8 -- With Parliament recently passing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill which sought to alter how properties donated by Muslims are to be governed, it is important to understand what waqf is, and how it is a concept that has culturally evolved over the centuries in the Indian subcontinent.

Origins of Waqf

The concept of waqf is deeply rooted in Islamic tradition. According to Muslim Endowments, Waqf Law and Judicial Response in India by P.S. Munawar Hussain, it refers to the "concept of dedication of property for religious and welfare activities. The dedication of any property as waqf means the dedicator no longer has any ownership over it- and essentially, it is transferred to God, ensuring its "perpetuity" under the supervision o...