Also known as a mortmain property, a waqf is an endowment that a Muslim makes for charitable or religious purposes. This generous gesture is performed with no expectation of receiving something in return. The donation can include a building, plot of land, or any other valuable asset. When translated, the waqf definition means confinement and prohibition. Though the translation sounds intense and restricting, it’s not perceived as such in Islamic law. The Muslim who makes the offering is known as a waqif, which means donor. The waqf meaning is rooted in rich history. In fact, the earliest known use of the word dates back to ninth century A.D.