Doha, Qatar: The General Directorate of Endowments at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has registered a new charitable will from a benefactor allocating one-third of her estate to the Waqf Fund for Righteousness and Piety, under the supervision of the General Directorate of Endowments.
The will covers movable and immovable assets, including real estate, shares and bank balances. The benefactor stipulated that the proceeds be directed towards charitable and pious causes, ensuring that the benefit of her wealth continues to serve the community after her death.
According to the General Directorate of Endowments’ records, this is the first waqf will registered by the benefactor, highlighting growing public awareness of the importance of endowments and wills as mechanisms for sustaining charitable giving and extending its impact beyond an individual’s lifetime.
Director of the Waqf Funds Department at the General Directorate of Endowments Jassem Hassan Bu Hazaa, praised the initiative, describing the growing interest in wills as a positive indication of increased community awareness of their religious and social significance.
He noted that the number of people registering wills has increased in recent years, reflecting greater awareness of the importance of formally documenting their wishes and ensuring that part of their wealth can continue to support charitable causes.
Bu Hazaa explained that the General Directorate of Endowments is responsible for registering wills under Article 3 of Qatar’s Waqf Law. In Islamic jurisprudence, a will is understood as a voluntary transfer of ownership that takes effect after the testator’s death.
He also highlighted the religious significance of making and documenting a will, noting that Islamic teachings encourage Muslims to dedicate part of their wealth to good causes and charitable works.
A will can therefore provide an opportunity to continue acts of charity while ensuring that the testator’s wishes are formally recorded.
Under Islamic law, a person may generally bequeath up to one-third of their estate, while the remaining estate is subject to the applicable inheritance rules. The newly registered will follows this principle by dedicating one-third of the benefactor’s assets to the waqf fund.
The General Directorate of Endowments stressed that waqf wills can play an important role in creating sustainable sources of charitable support. By directing the returns from endowed assets toward designated causes, the benefits can continue to reach beneficiaries over the long term.
It also encouraged members of the community who wish to establish a waqf to take advantage of the available endowment channels and dedicate the returns of their assets to one of the designated waqf funds.
