All over the Islamic world, Islamic endowments were put to work in strengthening the religion in the souls of the believers, protecting the institution of dawah, and ensuring that good works were able to continue and spread. There are many references in the Islamic Shariah that emphasize the role of the endowment in the Muslim ummah. Allah (SWT) says, “You will not attain piety until you spend from what you love.” (Aal Imran:92)
Some specific examples of endowments in Islamic history are:
· Prophet Muhammad (encouraged his companions to dig up a well, saying,
“Whoever uncovers the well of Rawma will have Paradise.” Uthman ibn Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, raced to dig the well in order to establish a charity that would yield continuous results.
· When Umar ibn Al-Khattab received some land, he went to the Prophet and said, “I have never had wealth like this before, so I wish to give it in charity.” The Prophet replied, “Keep the property but donate its profits.” (Nisa’i, authenticated by Al- Albani)
In the first century after the Prophet, the righteous predecessors followed this example and continued the precedent of investing money for charitable causes. They established many charitable endowments and involved their financial contributions to meet the needs and circumstances of their times. Endowments were used to maintain mosques and pay the salaries of Imams, teachers, and employees of the mosques.

Shaikh Mostafa Tolba Founder & Executive Director of QIA