Management of Waqf property in Malaysia : problems and recommendations

الملخص EN

Waqf (endowment) is one of the most pioneering and leading charitable schemes, which were introduced during the golden era of the Holy Prophet (SAW), and up-to-date it is still playing a vital role in upgrading the socioeconomic status of the societies, the under-privileged ones in particular. The contemporary world is witnessing many Waqf (endowment) institutions offering countless activities, products and services for the cause of humanity and religion within the holistic principles of Shari’ah.

All those Waqf activities focus mainly on the basic needs and rights of human beings, e.g. food, shelter, health, education, and religious rituals.

Nevertheless it had undesirably been observed that vast Waqf properties and their institutions are mismanaged.

The management of Waqf properties in many countries (Middle-East, south-Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa and Central Asia) is mainly based on the traditional models without much adoption of modern approaches. In Malaysia, there are huge endowment (Waqf) properties in every state of the country.

Despite the fact that they are managed under specific policies and guidelines, yet they are still influenced by traditional mechanisms.

The institution of waqf if so managed dynamically by considering the need and niche of the reality, the socio-economic catastrophe may gradually be diminished.

Thus, in this paper an attempt is made to identify some unique mechanisms for a result oriented management of Waqf properties (lands), particularly in today’s Malaysian status quo.