What is Waqf Board?

A Waqf Board is a statutory institution established to oversee and manage properties and assets (auqaf) dedicated to religious, pious, or charitable purposes under Islamic law in India. The board operates under the framework of the Waqf Act, with its history rooted in earlier laws and tradition.

 

Meaning and Creation of Waqf

 

A waqf refers to a permanent dedication of property by a Muslim (the wakif) for religious or charitable causes recognized by Islamic law. The property, once dedicated, becomes indivisible and irrevocable, meaning it cannot be gifted, sold, or inherited. Waqf can be created through acts performed during a person’s lifetime, by a will effective at death, during terminal illness, or even by immemorial usage. The property must wholly belong to the dedicator and can only be transferred with genuine pious intent.

 

Structure and Functions of the Waqf Board

 

Every state (and certain Union Territories) in India has formed its own Waqf Board according to the Waqf Act of 1995, amended in 2025 for greater transparency and better governance. The State Waqf Board comprises elected and nominated Muslim members—such as legislators, bar council members, scholars in Islamic theology, and senior government officials—led by a chairperson. Boards are responsible for the registration, supervision, protection, income collection, and dispute settlement related to waqf properties.

 

Some key responsibilities include:

 

• Managing waqf properties and maximizing their utility for public benefit.
• Preventing encroachment and misuse of waqf assets.
• Ensuring the income generated from waqf properties is used as intended.
• Conducting surveys and maintaining records of waqf properties.

 

The Wakf Act enables Boards to recover encroached properties and take legal action where required. In states with a significant Shia population, separate boards may be established for Sunni and Shia waqfs.

 

Central and Statutory Oversight

 

 At the national level, the Central Waqf Council advises the government and state boards on general issues, policy, and best practices. The council helps coordinate surveys, protects waqf interests, and ensures legal compliance.SignificanceWaqf Boards play a crucial role in protecting community interests, supporting religious and educational institutions, and upholding social welfare for marginalized communities. They are unique in statutory authority—they can acquire, hold, and transfer property but are insulated from standard civil lawsuits concerning their actions as a board. Recent Reforms Recent amendments, such as the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, emphasize enhancing transparency, protecting waqf assets, and adopting global best practices for administrative efficiency. These reforms aim to improve accountability and governance in the management of India’s vast waqf resources.

 

In conclusion, waqf boards serve both as custodians of charitable and religious trust properties and as instruments for advancing community welfare and legal protections in India.