Navigating Change: Highlights, Implications, and reactions

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, recently enacted by the Indian Parliament, introduces significant reforms to the management and governance of waqf properties-charitable endowments under Islamic law.

- By:- Aakriti Singh, Age - 20 College-UILS, Punjab University 2nd year

While the government asserts that these changes aim to enhance transparency and efficiency, critics argue they may undermine the religious autonomy of the Muslim community. To understand the bill, it's important to understand what a waqf is.

Waqf means permanently giving away property for religious or charity purposes in Islam. The Muslim adult of sound mind and the real owner of the property is called Wakit, and he gives the property in charity through a document called Waqfnama. Once the property is declared as Waqf, the ownership is believed to go to God and is permanent, making it unfit for being sold, gifted, mortgaged, or taken back. The income from the property is to be used for poor people's mosques, madrasas, or other public benefits.

The Waqf system in India began during the 12th-century Delhi Sultanate, with rulers donating land to mosques, dargahs, and schools. The Mughals formalised it with written deeds and appointed managers. Under British rule, confusion arose due to differences with English property laws, leading to the 1913 Mussalman Waqf Validating Act. Post-independence, the 1954 Waqf Act empowered State Waqf Boards and set up tribunals.