Socio-Economic Role of Waqf in Kano, Nigeria: Reconsidering the Evidence and Suggesting a Need for Understanding Waqf Donors’ Philanthropic Motivations

Abstract

A holistic view of waqf as a philanthropic institution in Islam for improving all aspects of social life is necessary for any Muslim community to derive the most from the benefits provided by the institution over the centuries. But communities that have a narrow perception of the purpose and role of waqf are bound to face developmental problems for neglecting a vital function of the institution in providing socio-economic services that are crucial in addressing social problems and improving the overall quality of life of the ummah. The objective of this paper is to draw attention to the need for a balanced view of waqf as an all-inclusive philanthropic mechanism for promoting public welfare. By re-examining the evidence of a previous study, the paper concludes that Muslims in Kano, Nigeria, have a lopsided opinion about the role of waqf. The paper recommends that it is necessary to investigate waqf donor motivations empirically so that reasons could be systematically identified in order to plan effective strategies likely to re-align public perception with the holistic view of waqf.

Keywords: Waqf, waqf donors, philanthropic motivations, empirical study, socio-economic services, Muslim community