Feasibility of Extending the Use of Endowments in Specific Waqfs based on Customary Practice or Waqf Abandonment

According to Shiite jurisprudential texts, the endowment (waqf) must be used for the purpose and intention of the endower, except in situations such as the destruction of the endowment object or the expiration of the endowment's formalities where the implementation of the endower's intention is not possible. In such cases, some jurists issue a fatwa allowing the use of the endowment where it is closest to the endower's purpose, while others oppose the use of the endowment for any other purpose. This paper, using a descriptive-analytical method, is divided into two parts: the first part examines the absolute expression of the endower's intention and whether expanding the circle of the endower's intention conflicts with the original intention or not. Using valid linguistic evidence, it can be proven that expanding the circle of the endower's intention does not conflict with the original intention. The second part deals with situations where the endower's purpose is fulfilled, but we want to add additional uses to the endowment. Different opinions of jurists are presented in this part, which requires further investigation, but ultimately, it is revealed by examining the words of the jurists that there is no conflict. By applying permission and disavowal, custom, and the rule of permission in an object, permission to extend the uses of the endowment is concluded. Careful examination of previous research shows that the subject of these studies is usually about the sale or conversion of the endowment, but in this article, the permission to extend the uses of the endowment is examined.