The Law of Waqf in India

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction to Waqf. 2. Kinds of waqfs. 3. Beneficiaries of waqf. 4. Waqfs for Muslim religious institutions. 5. Administration of Waqfs. 6. Maintenance of Muslim women. 7. The sachar committee report and waqfs in India. Appendices. Index.

The institution of waqfs is a major community welfare initiative, the striking feature of which is vesting of corpus of a property in the Almighty God, and the use of the usufruct is for the poor and the needy. In the light of the basic concepts of waqfs, kinds of waqfs, etc., this book largely focuses on administration of waqfs in India, both statutory and non-statutory. Under the statutory portion, care has been taken to study and analyse the provisions of the major legislations like the 1954 Act, the 1995 Act and the 2013 Amendment Act. The Sachar Committee Report (Chapter-XI)—which has highlighted the stark realities of waqf properties like encroachment both by private as well as by the Government, adverse possession, unauthorised occupation, etc., and has also given recommendations—is an important part of this book.

All the recommendations of this report have been analysed in detail looking into the pros and cons of each one of them, including that of maintenance of Muslim women out of the Waqf Fund. A case study of Waqf properties in the National Capital Territory of Delhi has been researched upon and discussed in detail.

Utmost care has been taken to make this book indispensable for all, including students, lawyers, academicians and others as a guide to their study and research n the Law of Waqf in India. Reading of this book is a must for everybody as there is general lack of awareness about the concept of waqf among the people. Although comprehensive in scope, yet it is easy to understand. (jacket)