Is revocation permitted for an endowment established during one's lifetime?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Endowments (Awqaf) and Donations
Primary text
Revocation is not permitted for a validly established endowment, adhering to the established Sunnah and the consensus of the Companions. The prohibition on selling, buying, gifting, or inheriting the principal proves its permanence. Furthermore, a transfer of ownership made for the purpose of charity is binding upon being enacted during life without judicial decree, similar to the manumission of a slave.
Supporting text
A dissenting view based on the incident of Abdullah ibn Zayd, who dedicated his garden to the Prophet, who then returned it to his parents upon their complaint that it was their livelihood. This incident is argued to show that mere declaration does not enforce the endowment, like regular charity, which requires possession (Qabd). However, this comparison is flawed because charity requires possession to be binding during life, whereas Waqf does not.