w-a-q-f
WAQF is an Islamic charitable endowment, a perpetual trust of property or assets dedicated to religious or charitable purposes. This Q-without-U word is a game-changer in Scrabble.
19
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
WAQF (also spelled wakf) is an Islamic endowment of property held in perpetual trust for specified charitable or religious purposes. Under Islamic law, once property is designated as waqf, it cannot be sold, inherited, or given away—it remains dedicated to its charitable purpose forever. This makes waqf a unique form of sustainable charity in Islamic tradition. In Islamic societies, waqf has historically funded mosques, schools, hospitals, orphanages, and public infrastructure like bridges and water systems. The Ottoman Empire used extensive waqf systems to provide public services. Today, waqf properties generate income through rent or agriculture, with proceeds supporting their designated charitable purposes.Key aspects of waqf:
The word waqf comes from Arabic وقف (waqf), meaning "confinement" or "prohibition." The root verb waqafa means "to stop, prevent, or detain." In Islamic legal terminology, it refers to stopping or freezing an asset from being sold or transferred, dedicating it permanently to charity. The concept dates to early Islam in the 7th century. The Prophet Muhammad established the first waqf when he dedicated land in Medina for charitable purposes. The practice spread throughout the Islamic world as Muslim conquests expanded. Waqf entered English through colonial contact with Islamic societies, particularly in India and the Ottoman Empire. British administrators encountered waqf institutions managing vast properties and needed legal terms to describe these Islamic trusts. The word appears in English texts from the 18th century onward, maintaining its original Arabic form as a technical legal term.
•Al-Azhar University in Cairo, founded in 970 CE, is funded by waqf endowments
•Ottoman waqfs once controlled one-third of the empire's agricultural land
•WAQF scores 19 points base—Q (10) is the highest-value tile in Scrabble
•Only about 30 Q-without-U words exist in official Scrabble dictionaries
"The historic mosque was maintained through waqf endowments for centuries."
"She established a waqf to fund education for orphaned children."
"Playing WAQF with the Q on a triple letter score earned me 57 points!"
Words with similar meaning
Endowment
Charitable gift
Trust
Legal arrangement
Foundation
Charitable institution
Bequest
Legacy gift
Words with opposite meaning
Sale
Transfer ownership
Liquidation
Convert to cash
Divestment
Disposal of assets
Commerce
Trade activity
Alternative Spelling
wakf
Common variant spelling
Plural Form
awqaf
Arabic plural form
Related Term
waqif
Person who creates waqf
Related Terms
Endowed real estate
Legal document
Monetary endowment
Essential Q-without-U words:
Waqf represents one of Islam's most innovative contributions to sustainable charity. Unlike zakat (obligatory alms) which provides immediate relief, waqf creates permanent income streams for charitable purposes. This system funded the Islamic Golden Age's hospitals, universities, and scientific research. The Bimaristan of Damascus, a hospital funded by waqf, operated continuously for over 700 years, providing free healthcare.
The Ottoman Empire perfected waqf administration, using it to provide public services without direct taxation. Waqfs funded everything from soup kitchens to libraries, bridges to aqueducts. The famous architect Sinan built many mosques with attached waqf properties—shops and bathhouses whose rent funded mosque maintenance. This decentralized welfare system survived centuries of political change.
Contemporary Muslim societies are reviving waqf for modern needs. Singapore's MUIS manages waqf properties worth billions, funding mosques and Muslim education. Indonesia pioneers cash waqf and waqf-linked sukuk (Islamic bonds). Even blockchain technology is being used to create transparent, efficient waqf management systems, proving this ancient institution's adaptability to modern finance.
WAQF vs WAKF
Both spellings valid in Scrabble
Pronunciation
"wahkf" not "wack-f"
Dictionary inclusion
In official word lists since 2014
Other valuable Q-without-U words in Scrabble
Total base points: 19 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 1 | Consonants: 3
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