The Significance and Influence of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab’s Endowment (Waqf) in Islamic Jurisprudence and Legal Precedents

Abstract

This study aims to highlight aspects of the appreciation of jurists for Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, and their utilization of his actions in clarifying the rules of Islamic endowment (waqf) and their impact on subsequent positions. The study consists of an introduction, three sections, and a conclusion. The introductory parts deals with the concept of endowment in both linguistic and functional terms. Section one discussed the status of Umar ibn al-Khattab's endowments in Islam. Section two presented the text of Umar's endowment document and defined the properties subject to endowment. Section three explored the influence of Umar's endowments on jurisprudence and legal precedents. The inductive and analytical approaches were employed for the study purposes. The study key results showed that Umar ibn al-Khattab's endowments were distinct and significant being derived from the Prophet’s advise.Furthermore, the first endowment document in Islam was issued by Umar, and the various types of properties endowed by him provided a broader scope for jurisprudential deduction. Additional examples of how jurists utilized Umar's endowments were presented to establish legal rulings related to endowments.