Permissibility of changing the Waqf of the donor

Q: My father had a Waqf (endowment) house in Al-Hariq that became damaged, so we sold it, with the consent of the court, and bought a clay house in Al-Hawtah instead. Then I submitted a request to the court to sell it, due the uselessness of clay houses. His Eminence agreed and we sold it for 60,000 Riyals. Due to the low price we got for it, the head of the Court of Al-Hawtah, Shaykh `Abdul-`Aziz ibn Humayd suggested using the amount to build or to help build a Masjid (mosque). As the basis of the Waqf was slaughtering sacrificial animals and offering their meat for free, he recommended that I should seek your opinion. Is it permissible to change a Waqf donor's bequest and use it for a Masjid? The money is now deposited in a bank awaiting your instructions. Please advise us and may Allah reward you with the best! Wal-salamu ‘alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah’s Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)


A: The Waqf is to remain as it is and be invested in a property that accrues a profit, even if there are other partners in it, who should each receive his respective share of the house, store, or palm-trees, to carry out the will of the Waqf donor. (Part No. 16; Page No. 104) The Waqf should not be transferred to be used for a Masjid, as this contradicts the will of the donor and removes it from the purpose of what it was intended for. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.


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