Scientific Endowments (Awqaf) of Women in the Arab Islamic State

Abstract

The Endowment system (Waqf) considers one of the multiple and interconnected Islamic systems and targeting the best for the man which is meant to achieve good for the society. This research paper aims to state scientific endowments (Awqaf) of women in the Arab Islamic State, which is an important aspect of endowment sides and highlighting the impact of women on this side which has no less in importance to that impact of the man, since it has contributed in the development of its scientific foundations. The paper was divided into three themes, the First theme included stating the meaning of the endowment (Waqf) linguistically and terminologically and then showing what the endowments of women have regarding schools whereas, the Second theme was allocated to study endowments (Awqaf) of women regarding students of science and scholars, and the Third theme was dealt with their endowments (Awqaf) on books and libraries. The research paper has concluded with several results, most notably: the multiplicity and diversity of the scientific endowments of women, and that it was for women in general and for women of sultans and kings, in particular , a large share in the establishment of schools, and the aim behind establishing most of the schools was to teach religious sciences and combating destructive thoughts as well as spreading jurisprudent doctrines. The works of the charity and endowments have also become a feature for Caliphs' women, especially in the era of the Abbasid State and with Ayyubid.