Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 is currently being debated in the Rajya Sabha. This bill has passed in Lokbha on Wednesday. In this bill, the right to women, widows and orphans has been taken care of. According to the new bill, if a Muslim person wants to donate his land and property to Waqf, then before donating, he will have to give part of the women of his family first.
‘Waqf-Alle-Alad’ is an important term in the process of donation in Islam. This term has played an important role in preserving wealth for centuries and supporting charitable works. Waqf-Alle-Aulad means “Waqf for the family”. This is a type of Waqf in which a Muslim donates his property to the benefit of his children, grandchildren or other family members. Its purpose is to ensure the financial security of the family, so that the family income (eg rent or farming earnings) continues to be received. However, the donor may also include a part of the income in Waqf deed to allocate for religious activities.
This Hanfi comes from Islamic law and is valid under Muslim personal law in India.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 aims to amend the Waqf Act, 1995 to solve the problems related to the management and control of Waqf properties.
Let us understand some of its important provisions.#Waqfamendmentbill2025 pic.twitter.com/8A3ilcbjqq
– Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@Mib_Hindi) April 2, 2025
The tradition of Waqf-Alle-Olad gained prominence during the Ottoman Empire, where it became a strategic tool to save property. By transferring property to Waqf, the affluent families protected their property from succession laws or seizure of the state. Similarly, in the Mughal India, many Nawab families and regional rulers used Waqf-al-Olad to protect their property for future generations.
Also read: Muslims for 5 years, will not be able to share daughters.
But many times it was misused. Many times people used to deprive women of their own family of their rights and gave all the property to Waqf.
Significantly, once the Waqf is declared, the property is considered permanent and irreversible. This means that it cannot be sold, transferred or rectified. Therefore, women had nothing left by using this provision.
Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 and Waqf-Alle-Olad
Some special provisions have been added regarding Waqf-Alle-Olad to the new Waqf bill, so that its misuse can be stopped and the rights of women and weaker sections can be protected.
The new bill states that before making Waqf-Alle-Olad, it will be necessary to give part of their legacy to women (such as daughters, wives, widows) and other heirs (eg orphans).
It is to be assumed that if a person wants to put property worth 10 lakhs in Waqf-Alle-Aulad, then first his daughter will have to give his share (2 lakh). The remaining 8 lakhs will be made.
If any property belongs to Waqf-Alle-Alad, but his documents are suspicious, or if someone disputes it, the district collector will investigate his validity. It will not be considered a Waqf without concrete evidence (such as Waqfanama).
Now daughters, wives or widows will not be denied their rights in the name of Waqf-Alle-Olad. It also strengthens Islamic principles.
After this bill is enacted, there will be freedom to make Waqf for the family, but with strict conditions.