Permissibility of spending on any charitable cause if no stipulation is made by the donor

Q: There is a number of Waqfs (endowments) in the Al-Qasim area. The donors of these Waqfs stipulated that they should be used for charitable deeds. The Charitable Society for Memorizing the Qur’an in Al-Qasim is teaching the Book of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) and supervising Qur’an lessons given in Masjids (mosques). The society is in great need of financial assistance, because it is responsible for paying remunerations to the teachers and students, and this necessitates large amounts of money. We would therefore like to have a Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) from Your Eminence that permits us to give these Waqfs to the Charitable Society for Memorizing the Qur’an. If you view this as we hope, it may encourage donors and Waqf Wakils (legally accountable people who act on behalf of another for a specific permissible matter) to (Part No. 16; Page No. 140) give their Waqfs or their incomes to this society in our area, to help it to carry out its mission in the way required of it. May Allah grant us all success in doing what pleases Him.

A: If the reality is as you mentioned and the donors of these Waqfs stipulated that the income from their Waqfs should be spent on charitable deeds, it is permissible to use them or a part of them for the Charitable Society for Memorizing the Qur’an, to be spent on the teacher’s salaries or as rewards for the students, clerks, workers, and other things related to teaching Qur’an memorization and the science of the Shari‘ah (Islamic law). This can be done after paying for the maintenance and repairs of the Waqfs from their incomes. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.