Why Waqf?
Preservation
Every Islamic center or institution should consider Islamic waqf as a way to preserve their institution and ensure continued service to the beneficiary community instead of being lost to islamophobia, socioeconomic or demographic chtanges, disrepair, property taxes or legal issues – something that happened to the early 19th and 20th century Islamic centers in the USA, Europe and Australia.
Transparency
Placing an Islamic center as a waqf ensures that an independent third party – a trustee – is responsible for the preservation of the center for the Islamic mission for which it was founded.
Protection
One of the most important benefit of putting the property as waqf is the protection against any form of unilateral actions by the organization’s board in case it is tempted to use its authority to change the use of the property, use it as a collateral for a loan, prohibit some universally accepted mode of worship, or permit an unIslamic activity, etc.
In Muslim countries, the awqaaf ministries and other waqf entities organized by religious authorities or individuals protect and preserve the waqf properties. In the United States, NAIT with its national scope and stature has taken on this important responsibility since 1973.
Community’s Intent
A waqf property can be replaced with another one with the same use and equal benefit to the beneficiary community to the fullest extent possible. It is not permissible, for example, to apply the sale proceeds of a deserted and unusable masjid to a cemetery, retirement/assisted living, or other facilities even when they are serving Muslims of the same community. The core purpose of the property cannot be altered.