History of Waqf in India: Muslim Endowments, Origins and Laws
Syed Ubaidur Rhman's book is a useful addition to the Indian Awqaf scholarship. It covers the developments of over fourteen hundred years- from the Islamic theological foundation of Awqaf to the recently enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act,2025. The book not only gives details of historical origin and development of Awqaf in India during the medieval period but also discusses the legal milestones both during the colonial period as well as post independent era. The book shall be of great use for the students of history as well as law. Prof. (Dr) Faizan Mustafa Vice-Chancellor, Chanakya National Law University, Patna.
This timely book provides a comprehensive study of the institution of waqf, or Muslim religious and charitable endowments, looking at the subject from the perspectives of Islamic law, Indian history and modern legal developments in India. The book will usefully inform debates, discussions and policies about waqf, which is not only an important Muslim social institution, but a valuable part of Indian heritage. Prof. Nandini Chatterjee, Professor of Indian History and Culture, University of Oxford.
In view of present controversies revolving around Waqf, it was imperative that someone clarifies the “doubts” and misgivings around its historicity. Ubaidur Rahman in his recent book, divided in 5 very relevant chapters, tries to do just that: he not only clarifies what the term waqf connotes, but also the history of this institution in India. According to him the institution was introduced as early as 8th and 9th centuries in India, many hundred years before the arrival of Political Islam in Delhi and Gangetic plane. Initially only a Muslim could make the waqf and endow his properties or estate for the welfare of the poor but later on it was changed as in other parts of the world and it was allowed for even a non-Muslim to make waqf for common good. He cites irrefutable evidence in the form of references which occur in such primary sources as Ziya Barani and Shams Siraj Afif. The history of waqf under the Mughals, though well known, is stressed by him again. Prof Nadeem Rezavi, Aligarh Muslim University History of Waqf in India is a book that covers a grand sweep of centuries, telling of the men who set up the Waqf, the oldest charitable trust in India and, perhaps, the entire world. Rahman writes in a clear almost conversational style, drawing the reader in from the very start and addressing the questions scholars and the general public would be curious about, like a one-stop shop for quotable information on the Waqf. Where HWI excels is in the wealth of legal nuance, detail and complexity, the huge list of characters and cases he brings in, and Rahman’s eagerness to tell it all as a story. Prof Peggy Mohan.
