Palestine is considered as an outstanding
Islamic model for its Awqaf amongst Muslim and Arabic countries in general,
whereas the city of Bayt al-Maqdis may be considered the archetype for
Palestinian cities. Muslims have paid much attention to the Awqaf in Bayt
Al-Maqdis throughout the centuries, which had evolved during the Mamluk period,
with its Sultans and Emirs appointing supervisors and custodians to protect and
restore them. This is besides keeping
records of the expenditures, income and produce. Many of the Mamluk Sultans had frequently
visited the holy city, and were so generous in giving its people gifts and
donations as well as establishing new Waqf institutions and restoring
ones. In addition to appointing
supervisors to check-up the affairs of these Awqaf. The Awqaf have indeed played an important
role in every aspect of life in the city; social, health, scholarly, etc. On the scholarly front, schools, libraries,
soup kitchens, Zawiyah, Khanqah, and Ribat were established; turning Bayt
al-Maqdis into an important scholarly centre during the Mamluk era. With these institutions and the interest of
the Sultans and Emirs it and the support of merchants amongst others who were
generous with their wealth and properties dedicating them to these Awqaf, thus
creating a steady income for the students and the poor benefiting from these
institutions.
Primary Language | Arabic |
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Journal Section | Articles |
Authors | |
Publication Date | June 15, 2019 |
Published in Issue | Year 2019 |