Hussein Elasrag 
Endowments in Islam 

Endowments or Awqaf (the plural of waqf) can be used not only to provide immediate necessities to the poor, but also to create or strengthen business support institutions that can lower the cost of doing business for the poor. Awqaf can also be used to support and build infrastructure institutions that can improve corporate governance and reduce the cost of doing business. For example, information bureaus, market regulatory bodies, the provision of accountancy services, and other such shared services for a group or for the entire society can be funded through waqf. The Book therefore sheds more light on the concept of Waqf, its meaning and historical development. The Book also focuses on some possible roles that Awaqf may play in the socio-economic development of the Muslim societies.