WAQF LAND OF PERSATUAN NURUL ISLAM IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

1. ISBN 978-967-394-230-5 [PROCEEDINGS OF IDMAC2015]
9th ISDEV International Islamic Development Management Conference
(IDMAC2015)
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WAQF LAND OF PERSATUAN NURUL ISLAM IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF
INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Shaik Abdullah Hassan Mydin
abdullah@usm.my
Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden 11800, Pulau Pinang
and
Sheik Daud
Abstract
Waqaf Land and Development under Nurul Islam Society is a noble work solely
aimed for education and community development.The land will be used for
developing madrasah, surau, multi-purpose hall, (free consultation), counseling
centre, Bed & Breakfast for travelers, and also recreational sports. Total cost for the
land and development is RM 15million. A 6 storey building will be erected on this
land which boasts various facilities, Islamic educational programme and communal
activities such as multipurpose hall, madrasah and surau, free clinic and community
service centre, library and lodging for travelers. For this, Wakaf Land and
Development of Nurul Islam Society wish to shoulder some responsibility in
providing optimised spiritual retreat for those who seek to develop themselves, and
as a platform for quality youth development programme. Some of the activities will
include spiritual, emotional and physical enlightenment, which touches on our
relationship with Allah, with mankind and teaches the youth to have visionary
outlook. Such activities will also be an antidote to their addiction towards gadgets
and gizmos, which is now becoming a serious desease.It is paramount for us to
conquer this issue in order to groom them to be the nation’s future leaders. Thus this
paper will be beneficial in the contexts of development of waqf land innovatively and
creatively in the broader perspective inline with the spirit of waqf to maximize
benefit for the betterment of ummah.
Key words : Waqf, Persatuan Nurul Islam, development and Innovative

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INTRODUCTION
A waqf, also spelled wakf, (Arabic: ‫وقف‬, pronounced [ˈwɑqf]; plural Arabic: ‫أوقاف‬,
awqāf; Turkish: vakıf, Urdu: ‫وقف‬ . (Hisham Yaacob, 2006).The term waqf literally
means causing a thing to stop or stand still. (Hassan, 1984). According to Syed Sabiq
(1990) and Habib Ahmad (2004) waqf is a benefiacial effort in the path of Allah and
a recommendable noble practice in the term of sadaqah and infak.
Bahaeddin Yediyıldız defines the waqf as a system which comprises three
elements: hayrat, akarat and waqf. Hayrat, the plural form of hayr, means
“goodnesses” and refers to the motivational factor behind vakıf
organization; akarat refers to corpus and literally means ”real estates” implying
revenue-generating sources, such as markets, land, baths; and waqf also means,
institutions providing services as committed in the waqf deed such as madrasas,
mosques, libraries, and etc. It is clear that the waqf system as an institution
developed on the basis of the interpretation of Islamic scholars. It is widely accepted
that broad interpretations of the Islamic law on the legality of some debated practices
within the waqf system led to the proliferation of waqf institutions. (Deligöz, Halil,
2014)
Therefore, the waqf system needs to be considered an institution not because it
explicitly originates from Sharia law, but because Islamic societies innovated it by
creating or improving its organizational form(s), legal framework and set of values.
(Halil Deligöz, 2014).
THE ESSENCE OF WAQF
Benefits And Wisdom Of Wakaf
Wakaf is a form of ibadah where your wealth/property is being given to the ummah,
as an act of ibadah for the benefactor to be near to Allah S.W.T. The fuqaha are of
the opinion that wakaf is ibadah by means of charity, where the reward will be given
permanently and continuously to the benefactor. This act is highly recommended in
Islam. The permanent reward will continuously flow to him as long as the wakaf
property is a permanent entity and being utilised by the general public. As wakaf
remains a permanent property of Allah , hence it can’t be owned, sold, given, or
inherited by anyone. It is a means of getting close to the Supreme Being and to be
abundantly rewarded for the deeds, as mentioned in the Qur’an and the Hadith:
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is
like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a
hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills.
And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.” (al-Baqarah, 2:261)
“And whatever good they do - never will it be removed from them. And Allah
is Knowing of the righteous. The example of those who spend their wealth in
the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each

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spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He
wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.” (Ali Imran, 3:115)
Rasulullah S.A.W also encouraged the ummah to donate and constantly give to
charity, as mentioned in the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah r.a.:
“When the son of Adam dies no further reward is recorded for his
actions, with three exceptions: charity whose benefit is continuous,
knowledge from which benefit continues to be reaped, or the
supplication of a righteous son (for him).” (Muslim)
Ibn ‘Umar reported: ‘Umar acquired land in Khaibar. He came to
Allah’s Apostle (saw) and sought his advice in regard to it. He said:
“Allah’s Messenger, I have acquired land in Khaibar. I have never
acquired more valuable for me than this, so what do you command I
do with it? Thereupon the Prophet (saw) said: If you like, you may
keep the corpus intact and give its produce as Sadaqah. So ‘Umar
gave it as Sadaqah declaring that the property must not be sold or
inherited or given away as a gift. And ‘Umar devoted it to the poor, to
the nearest of kin, to the emancipation of slaves, to wayfarers/guests,
and in the way of Allah.- (Sahih Muslim)
The key point is that waqfs supported so many economic sectors that the evolution of
Islamic civilization is incomprehensible without taking account of them. "In the
Ottoman period," writes (Yediylldlz, 1990), thanks to the prodigious development of
the waqf institution, a person could be born in a house belonging to a waqf, sleep in a
cradle of that waqf and fill up on its food, receive instruction through waqf-owned
books, become a teacher in a waqf school, draw a waqf-financed salary, and, at his
death, be placed in a waqf-provided coffin for burial in a waqf cemetery. In short, it
was possible to meet all one's needs through goods and services immobilized as
waqf. (Yediylldlz, 1990, cit. in Kuran 2001).
Muslims are encouraged to create sadaqah that keeps producing benefits/revenues to
its targeted objectives. Waqf is also termed “sadaqah jariyah” or “continuous
sadaqah”. The waqf created by giving away an asset that have feature of perpetuity
on a permanent basis. These sadaqah can be religious like establishing a mosque, or
for social purposes like building a house for the wayfarer or digging of river/canal or
a sadaqah gave during his/her life that continues (giving its benefits) after his/her
death. (Habib Ahmed 2007)
An important characteristic of waqf relates to its objective, that is, the idea of birr
(doing charity out of goodness). The objective of waqf may be for the society at
large, including the provision of religious services, socio-economic relief to the
needy segment, the poor, education, environmental, scientific, and other purposes.
Many scholars term the ownership of awqaf assets/properties “as if it were owned by
God.” The founder (waqif) determines the objectives for which the property made
into waqf can be used and the way its fruits, services and revenues can be distributed.
The founder also determines the waqf management and process of succession of
managers. The founder can impose any restrictions or qualifications he/she likes on

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his/her waqf, etc. Most awqaf are perpetual and very often this is emphasized in the
waqf deeds. The history of awqaf is very rich with prominent achievements in
serving the poor in particular and enhancing the welfare in general. Various kinds of
awqaf were established including those for public utilities, education and research,
and health care. Educational awqaf also covered scientific research that was not
restricted to Islamic studies. There were awqaf assigned specifically for research in
science, physiology, pharmacology, mathematics, astronomy, etc. Hospitals and
medicines are one of the most famous sub-sectors of awqaf. Muslims continued to
establish awqaf hospitals and health care centers until the first part of the 20th
century when the Waqf Children Hospital of Istanbul was founded. Similarly, there
were waqf of grain to be used as seeds, and forms of waqf to provide loans to
persons who need financing and providing services and supplementary income to
low income people. The significance of the awqaf in Muslim societies of the past is
evident from information available on the size of these institutions. In certain Muslim
countries awqaf reached one third or more of total of cultivable land and other
properties. The first land survey in Egypt conducted during Muhammad ‘Ali’s rule
indicated that 600,000 were awqaf out of a total of 2.5 million feddan (acre) of
cultivable land; most of these awqaf were for mosques and education and a great
chunk was for al-Azhar itself. The large investments in the social sector succeeded in
transforming the society and empowering the poor segments of it. Education, offered
almost only by awqaf, enabled the poor move up the economic ladder and obtain
high levels of economic and political power. (Ahmed & Kahf, 2004)
Innovative Development Projects On Waqaf Land Of Nurul Islam Society
Wakaf Land and Development of Nurul Islam Society is a noble and inovative
projects toward Muslim community enhancement in the field of education and
community, specifically in Georgetown, Penang. A 6 storey building will be erected
on this land which boasts various facilities, Islamic educational programme and
preparing facilities for communal activities such as multipurpose hall, madrasah and
surau, free clinic and community service centre, library and lodging for travelers.
Previously on this land there was a Madrasah registered with Penang religious
authority as a Madrasah Tarbiyyah Nurul Islam. In the early 60’s, Madrasah
Tarbiyyah Nurul Islam focused on the teaching of Al-Qur’an. This Madrasah was
founded by Maulavi Ustaz Sodaqatullah al Baqawi, under the management of Nurul
Islam Society. After the demise of Maulavi, the teachings were further continued by
his student, Ustaz Haji Osman Shahul Hamid, who is now the mudir of the
Madrasah. Registered under the adminstration of Penang State Religious
Department, this Madrasah now organising various activities in relation to Islamic
teachings and dakwah. The main aim of this madrasah is to teach Quran, Sirah dan
Fiqh for students from primary level to secondary school.
Alhamdulillah in July 2014, state goverment through religious council Penang had
approved this land (13,000 sf) as a wakaf land. Nurul Islam Society as a beneficiary
of the land and religious authority of waqf in Penang is planing to develop 6 storey
building on the waqf land which includes madrasah, prayer halls, free clinics and
counseling centers, traveler accommodation and recreational sports. The total

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expenditure cost of land, construction and education and community projects is RM
15 million.
The donations for the purcasing land and development are from the public and
corporate institutions. For the purchase of the land for wakaf, we have conveniently
divided the land into units of one-meter squared lots to enable donors to purchase the
lots of land for wakaf. The price of the land is set at RM200 per meter squared lot.
Donations may be made in the form of cash, cheque or bank transfer. The cheque
shall be made payable to the Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Pulau Pinang(Islamic
Religious Council Penang). The bank transfer may be made to the following
account:
Name of Bank: Islamic BankMalaysia
Account Number: 07025010032743
Therefore, anyone who is interested can visit Dana Wakaf.com.
Attached below is a brief overview of the Wakaf Land and Development of Nurul
Islam Society.
Brief Overview of the Wakaf Land and Development of Nurul Islam Society
The Wakaf Land and Development of Nurul Islam Society was formally formed in
Penang on 26 June 2014 with the officialy launch by The Govenor of Penang. Its
official address is No. 26 Pupos Lane, Penang, Malaysia. The Chairman is Dr. Shaik
Daud.
The vision/mission/objectives/modus operandi of the Wakaf Land and Development
of Nurul Islam Society as follows:
Vision : Towards Prosperity Of Ummah Through Charitable Wakaf Efforts
Mission : To Enhance Educational And Societal Development Through Wakaf
Practices
Motto : To Compete Towards For The Betterment Of The Ummah Through
Charitable Wakaf Practices
Objectives:
1. To Perserve And Develop Innovatively Wakaf Land
2. To Develop Educational Projects
3. To Provide Charitable Service For Community Development
Modus Operandy: Educational & Societal Development Programs
1. Madrasah Education
a) Tahfiz Class
b) Quran & Fardhu Ain Class
c) Arabic Language
d) Mualaf Guidance Class
2. Societal Activities
a) Free Clinic
b) Counseling Centre
3. Learning & Reserch Centre

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a) Library
b) Motivation & Educational Workshop
c) Self Access Learning Centre
d) Archives
4. Musafir Lodge
a) Affordable & Comfort Room To Stay
b) Homestay
CONCLUSION
Success in nurturing education and professional development are due to the constant
struggle of our forefathers hundreds of years ago to ensure the stability we have
now, and it has been proven that many of us are direct beneficiary of this privilege
fought by them. Many of us were brought up on the rented properties and obtained
early education at the madrasahs and mosques built on wakaf land hundreds of years
ago have become successful in their own right.
Now is the time for us to contribute back to the society and continue the legacy our
forefathers left behind. As Muslims and caliphs, we’re being taught to contribute our
skills and knowledge, blood, sweat and tears as well as giving our material wealth
for the sake of the Ummah’s development. And this is what we strive to do to
preserve the legacy of the land, situated in the middle of Georgetown. With the
blessings of Allah, our mission will be a success and may Allah ease the path for us.
In conclusion, Wakaf Land and Development of Nurul Islam Society is a creative
and inovative project inline with spiritual, emotional and physical enlightenment,
which touches on our relationship with Allah and mankind.
REFERENCE
Ahmed & Kahf (2004). Role of Zakah and Awqaf in Poverty Alleviation, Occasional
Paper No. 8, Islamic Research and Training Institute, Islamic Development
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Habib Ahmad. (2004). Role of Zakaf and Awqaf in Poverty Alleviation. Jeddah:
IRTI,
Habib Ahmed (2007). Waqf-Based Microfinance: Realizing The Social Role Of
Islamic Finance * Islamic Research and Training Institute Islamic
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Institutions: The Case of Federal Territory SIRC, unpublished Master
dissertation, International Islamic University Malaysia.

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Kuran, Timur. 2001. The Provision of Public Goods under Islamic Law:Origins,
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