210 Appendices
Wakil
An agent or general representative.Waqf
Similar to placing an asset, particularly property, in trust. Technically,
appropriation or tying-up of a property in perpetuity, so that no proprietary
rights can be exercised over the usufruct. Thewaqfproperty can neither be
sold nor inherited or donated to anyone. The plural ofwaqfisawqaf.Zakat
Zakatis the third pillar of Islam−a levy on wealth, which is defined by the
Quran on all people having wealth above a prescribed level. The levy must
be spent on any of eight categories of beneficiaries. The purpose is to
redistribute wealth from the wealthy to the needy. The distribution ofzakat
funds has been laid down in the Quran, and is for the poor, the needy,zakat
collectors, new converts to Islam, travellers in difficulty, captives and
debtors, etc. It is payable if the owner is a Muslim and sane. It is an
obligatory contribution that every well-off Muslim is required to pay to the
Islamic state, in the absence of which individuals are required to distribute
thezakatamong the poor and the needy asprescribed by the Shari’a.