Nagpur: Waqf, one of the oldest organised forms of charity in the world, has been deeply embedded in Muslim life in India for more than 1,000 years. Historian Syed Ubaidur Rahman’s latest book, ‘History of Waqf in India’, offers a detailed historical account of the institution of waqf in the subcontinent, from its origins in Arabia to its evolution under successive Indian empires, colonial rule, and present-day controversies.The book, to be launched at the Islamic Culture Centre at Teka in Nagpur on Saturday, comes in the wake of intense debate over the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025. Critics argue the law undermines religious freedom and minority rights by increasing govt control over waqf properties and allowing non-Muslims into waqf management bodies. With more than 8.7 lakh waqf properties spread across the country, including mosques, graveyards, madrasas, and community spaces, the stakes remain high.Speaking to TOI, Rahman said, “The book traces the genesis of waqf to the Prophet’s companions, who dedicated wells, orchards, and estates for public use. It explains the legal framework across Islamic jurisprudence, detailing how a waqf is completed merely by declaration, as per Imam Abu Yusuf — a view upheld by Indian courts.”The narrative then moves to India, beginning with mosques built by Malik bin Dinar in Malabar and the development of waqf under the Delhi Sultans. “The system matured during the Mughal era, with Akbar and his successors introducing mechanisms to reduce corruption. Regional sultanates, from Gujarat to Bengal, also expanded waqf networks,” he said.A separate section deals with family waqf, or waqf ala al-awlad, which provides for descendants while reserving benefits for the poor. “The British, citing the rule against perpetuities, challenged such waqfs until Allama Shibli Nomani’s movement led to the Mussalman Wakf Validating Act of 1913. Post-Independence, successive laws in 1954, 1995, and 2013 attempted to streamline waqf governance,” Rahman said.The book also highlights current challenges, such as nearly 59,000 waqf properties facing encroachments, and over 31,000 pending litigations. The 2025 amendment, especially its treatment of waqf by user — covering more than four lakh properties actively functioning as mosques, graveyards, and madrasas — has become a flashpoint.
