January 2026
As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh,
Ibn ʿUmar (RA) said: “When ʿUmar (RA) received a piece of land in Khaybar, he came to the Prophet ﷺ saying, ‘I have received a piece of land better than anything I have ever received before. What do you advise me regarding it?’ The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘If you wish, you can preserve the asset (as an endowment) and give its yield in charity.’ So ʿUmar made it a waqf that could not be sold, gifted, or inherited. Its proceeds were to be spent on the poor, relatives, freeing slaves, for the sake of Allah, guests, and travellers…” (Bukhārī, 2737)
This moment marks the formal beginning of Waqf in our tradition. A model of strategic charity where the asset is preserved, and only the benefit is distributed. It’s a powerful blend of sustainability and sincerity, a form of giving that safeguards the gift and extends its impact across generations.
At National Waqf, we continue to strive to embody this Prophetic model in a modern context. Through this newsletter we aim to give you a better insight on what this looks like in reality. We thank you for your continued support and we ask Allah ﷻ to make our efforts sincere, strategic, and beneficial for years to come. We hope this month’s newsletter offers you a transparent and meaningful look into that journey and as always, your feedback is welcome.
Was-salaamu alaikum,
Mawlana Aadil Patel
CEO, National Waqf
This month, we were humbled by a very special message.
A sister from the Midlands reached out to let us know that she has chosen to include National Waqf in her will, dedicating one-third of her estate to the public Waqf. This is the first time anyone has formally bequeathed part of their estate to National Waqf, and it moved us deeply.
There was no announcement sought and no recognition requested, just a sincere desire to leave behind something that continues to benefit others for years to come. It is a reminder that Waqf is not only about what we give today, but about what we choose to build for tomorrow.
We make duʿāʾ that Allah ﷻ accepts her intention, places barakah in her wealth, and makes this a source of ongoing reward for her and her family. We also hope this quiet act encourages others to think about how they might leave behind a legacy that outlives them, Insha'Allah.
A purposeful start to 2026
January was a steady start to the year for National Waqf, marked by engagement and preparation for the year ahead. We began the year by ensuring our foundations were firmly in place for the months ahead.
Ustadh Wahid delivered a Jumuʿah khutbah in Chadwell Heath, sharing reflections on legacy, responsibility, and the power of long-term giving. Our visit to the London Islamic Cultural Society (LICS) was equally meaningful and served as a timely reminder of why this work matters. We are especially grateful to Hafidh Ishaaq Jasat and Sister Rabbiyah for their generosity in hosting us and facilitating the visit.
Alongside these engagements, much of the month was spent preparing for Ramadan. This is a period of immense opportunity and barakah, and our team has been working carefully to ensure we are ready to serve the community in the most effective way possible, Insha'Allah. Our CEO also attended the Funders in Good Annual Dinner, an important opportunity to learn, connect, and strengthen relationships across the wider charitable sector.
£300,000 Waqf Investment Secured
Alhamdulillah, National Waqf has now invested £300,000 of public Waqf funds into a Shariah-compliant commercial investment, in line with the commitment made to our supporters.
This investment is expected to generate an annual return of approximately 12%, strengthening the Waqf’s income stream and increasing our capacity for long-term, sustainable grant giving.
While our internal target was to deploy Waqf capital within three to six months, we were able to complete this investment in under one month, reflecting strong preparation and due diligence. Further updates will be shared by our investment team throughout the year as this work develops, Insha'Allah.
Fundraising snapshot
In January, National Waqf saw a total increase of £43,889.82. This included £27,791.71 in regular direct debits, reflecting the continued commitment of our monthly supporters, alongside £16,098.11 in one-off donations. We are grateful for both forms of support, as recurring giving strengthens the long-term stability of the Waqf, while one-off contributions help accelerate growth and meet immediate priorities. This balanced support has helped create early momentum for the year as we prepare for a focused and impactful Ramadan period, Insha'Allah.
We were humbled to receive a £10,000 one-off donation from a brother on behalf of his father. We ask Allah to place barakah in his wealth, reward him and his family, and make this a source of lasting ṣadaqah jāriyah for him.
Support Us
National Waqf is a visionary charity that empowers Muslims to access waqf, allowing their donations and rewards to be continuous, while strategically delivering grants to charitable organisations to responsibly preserve and grow the UK Muslim community