Endowments for Public Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Preface

Endowments for Public Education The Missing Wealth!

Praise be to Allah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah... Proceeding:

The endowment (waqf) in the Islamic Sharea has had, and continues to have, established rulings, renowned effects, and prominent contributions; it is among the foundations of Muslim civilization, and it is the perennial tributary for charity works, benevolence, and compassion throughout the ages and eras.

It has remained (the Islamic endowment) standing tall in the face of the vicissitudes of adversities and the fluctuations of times, and, with the help of Allah, has become an impregnable bulwark for protecting the heritage and civilization of Muslims and for supporting knowledge, scholars, researchers, and learners.

The endowment became known since the light of Islam shone in the city of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). The first act he (peace and blessings be upon him) undertook was that he established and endowed the first mosque in Islam, which is the Quba Mosque. He then built his mosque (Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi Al-Sharif). Thereafter, he (peace and blessings be upon him) urged endowment in the cause of Allah and encouraged it. Among that is what was narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When a human being dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge from which benefit is derived, or a righteous child who prays for him