24/07/2026
SATAN'S MISCONCEPTIONS THAT PREVENT US FROM IMPLEMENTING FAMILY WAQF
By: Abbas Adam Abba
Chairman, Alburhan Waqf Initiative, Kano
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +2348038569777
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Below are some of the temptations and misconceptions that Satan uses to discourage people from establishing or participating in Family Waqf (and other forms of Waqf), together with their responses.
1. "There is no trust anymore."
Response: The dishonesty of some people is not a valid reason to abandon a righteous deed. A Waqf should be established with sound legal documentation, trustworthy trustees, and a transparent system of accountability.
2. "The family will fight over it."
Response: If the Waqf deed is clearly written and its objectives are well defined, disputes can be greatly minimized. (Besides, even families that do not establish a Family Waqf often experience inheritance disputes.?)
3. "I do not have enough wealth."
Response: Waqf is not only for the wealthy. A small house, a piece of land, a shop, or even modest capital can be dedicated as Waqf.
4. "I will do it when I become old."
Response: Death has no appointed age. It is better to establish your Waqf while you are healthy and capable.
5. "My children will lose their inheritance."
Response: A properly structured Waqf, established according to the principles of Islamic law, does not invalidate or abolish the Islamic law of inheritance.
6. "This is not our family tradition."
Response: Our evidence comes from the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and the practices of the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), not merely from family customs.
7. "Waqf is only for building mosques."
Response: No. A Family Waqf may support children, education, healthcare, widows, orphans, and many other charitable causes.
8. "It will reduce my wealth."
Response: Waqf preserves the original asset while only its benefits or income are spent for charitable purposes. Moreover, Allah places blessings (barakah) in wealth that is spent sincerely for His sake.
9. "The process is too complicated."
Response: With the assistance of qualified scholars and legal experts, establishing a Waqf is straightforward.
10. "No one will continue it after my death."
Response: This is precisely why trustworthy trustees should be appointed and written regulations prepared to ensure the Waqf continues after the founder's death.
11. "Just give your children Islamic education, good upbringing, rely on Allah, and make du'a."
Response: We certainly do not understand Islam better than the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him). They educated their children, gave them good moral training, relied upon Allah, and made abundant supplications. Yet history confirms that nearly every Companion who lived long enough established a Waqf.
12. "There is still plenty of time. I will establish it later, In shā' Allāh."
Response: No. Good deeds should not be delayed. Allah says:
﴿وَسَارِعُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ﴾
"And hasten toward forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who are mindful of Allah."
(Qur'an 3:133).
13. "I will simply leave it as a will (Wasiyyah)."
Response: Yes, making a bequest for a Family Waqf is permissible. However, in our present time, many wills face practical difficulties and are sometimes not implemented. Therefore, it is better to establish the Waqf during your lifetime, while you are healthy and fully capable, and clearly inform your family that the Waqf property is no longer part of the estate to be inherited after your death.
LESSON:
Satan seeks to prevent people from establishing lasting charity by filling their hearts with fear, doubt, and procrastination. Allah says:
﴿الشَّيْطَانُ يَعِدُكُمُ الْفَقْرَ وَيَأْمُرُكُم بِالْفَحْشَاءِ ۖ وَاللَّهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغْفِرَةً مِّنْهُ وَفَضْلًا ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ﴾
"Satan threatens you with poverty and commands you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing."
(Qur'an 2:268).
Therefore, every believer should put his trust in Allah, establish a sound plan, make sincere supplication, and implement a Family Waqf in order to earn continuous reward (Sadaqah Jariyah) and create a lasting source of benefit.
May Allah (SWT) grant us the ability to revive and implement the Sunnah of Family Waqf while we are still alive, healthy, and able. Āmīn.
Please do not stop at merely reading this article. Put it into practice before Satan returns to discourage you once again.
Abbas Adam Abba