Responsibility of the Waqf Supervisor in Islamic Shariah.

Abstract

The Responsibility of the Waqf Supervisor in Islamic Law An Analytical and Applied Jurisprudential StudyAbstract Waqf is one of the most enduring forms of charity in Islam, as it involves the perpetuation of the principal asset and the allocation of its usufruct for charitable purposes. Due to the fact that waqf property has no individual owner, Islamic law mandates the appointment of a supervisor 'Al-Nazir' to manage its affairs, preserve its assets, and ensure its revenues are distributed according to the founder’s conditions.This research aims to define the concept of supervision over waqf, analyze the types and limits of the supervisor’s liability, and identify the legal and regulatory safeguards that protect waqf assets from mismanagement. The study adopts an analytical and inductive methodology, relying on classical jurisprudential texts, resolutions of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, and the Saudi Waqf Law as a contemporary applied model .The study concludes that the supervisor’s responsibility is threefold: religious and ethical responsibility before Allah, administrative responsibility to manage the waqf efficiently, and civil and criminal liability in cases of negligence, transgression, or violation of the founder’s conditions. The research emphasizes that the supervisor is merely a trustee and does not own the waqf. Any misuse of waqf revenues or the principal asset necessitates financial compensation, removal from office, and potential punitive measures. The study recommends enhancing supervisors’ professional competence, establishing specialized waqf courts, and activating electronic governance systems to ensure transparency and accountability.