The Rulings on Animal Endowments in Islamic Jurisprudence

This research presents a conceptualization of the jurisprudential rulings related to animal endowments (Waqf). The paper discusses the conditions and various use cases of such endowments. The paper also answers questions pertaining to the replacement of the endowed animals, as well as the different ways in which they may be utilized after their death. By studying the topic of animal endowments, this paper seeks to study the possibility of broadening the notion of endowments and aims to identify its alternative forms as well as address its various detailed rulings. Moreover, the paper discusses different methods for investing such endowments. The study utilizes descriptive, analytical and comparative methodologies. It presents the opinions of a wide variety of legal scholars on jurisprudential topics related to animal endowments and then elaborates on them by providing and examining the evidence for each ruling. The major conclusions of the research are as follows: 1) The legitimacy of animal endowments in Islamic law. 2) The legitimate usufructs of such animal endowments vary a great deal and can accommodate several needs, such as an animal's utilization in the transportation of people and goods, as well as any other permitted activity. An animal may also be used for its products, such as its milk, hair, wool and its offspring. 3) It is permitted to replace animal endowments in cases of sickness or lack of productivity, only with the permission of the judge and if it benefits the endowment.