On February 22, 2025, Habib University hosted Dr. Katherine Bullock for a thought-provoking lecture titled “From Date Palms to Higher Education: The Evolution of Charitable Giving.” Dr. Bullock, a scholar specializing in Islamic thought, political science, and philanthropy, explored the historical and contemporary significance of waqf (Islamic endowment) and its transformative impact on education and society. This lecture was part of Habib University’s Reshaping Philanthropy in the Islamic World series, which seeks to reimagine charitable giving in service of higher education and knowledge creation.
The Significance of Waqf in Islamic Philanthropy
Dr. Bullock introduced waqf as a unique and enduring form of charitable giving in the Islamic tradition. Rooted in the Arabic term meaning “to stop” or “hold,” waqf refers to the permanent dedication of an asset or property for a charitable purpose, ensuring its long-term societal benefit. Unlike zakat (mandatory almsgiving) or sadaqah (voluntary charity), waqf is an institutionalized and sustainable mechanism that has historically funded critical public goods, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
A Historical Perspective: Waqf and the Legacy of Learning
Dr. Bullock traced the origins of waqf back to the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who established the first waqf in Islamic history with the Mosque of Quba in Medina in 622 CE. Encouraged by the Prophet, his companions and subsequent Muslim rulers institutionalized waqf as a means of financing social welfare and educational institutions. By the Mamluk period (1250 CE), waqf had become the premier institution for philanthropy in the Muslim world, funding prominent centers of learning such as Al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco and Al-Azhar in Egypt.
Dr. Bullock highlighted the historical significance of waqf-based education:
“We’re all proud of the Golden Age of Islam. Sometimes, as a self-esteem boost, we refer to that age if someone else talks about Muslims being backward and uncivilized. But it’s less well known that it was mostly waqf-based education and scientific facilities in the Muslim world that led to this flourishing. Institutions produced well-known astronomers, biologists, mathematicians, chemists, physicists, philosophers, geographers, and many other scholars who had an enormous impact on modern science and technology.”
This perspective underscores the vital role that community-funded educational institutions played in fostering scientific and intellectual advancements—an ethos that Habib University seeks to revive through its Reshaping Philanthropy initiative.
Dr. Bullock elaborated on the comprehensive role of waqf in sustaining centers of higher learning:
“What did waqf cover at these educational institutions? In fact, it was the whole range of needs—from tuition, salaries for professors and administrators, upkeep of buildings, libraries, books, accommodation for students on campus, and sometimes even a stipend for students.”
She also shared an example from 13th-century Damascus, where a waqf not only financed a university but also funded student festivals, demonstrating the holistic nature of Islamic philanthropy.
Waqf’s Relevance to Modern Higher Education
Dr. Bullock emphasized that reviving the waqf tradition in contemporary higher education could provide a sustainable financial model for universities. She noted that many universities in Turkey, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia continue to benefit from waqf, with funds supporting student scholarships, infrastructure development, and research initiatives.
In Canada, where Dr. Bullock has conducted extensive research on Islamic philanthropy, she found that many in the Muslim community were unaware of waqf despite actively participating in charitable giving. This lack of awareness, she argued, highlights the need for education and advocacy to reintegrate waqf into modern philanthropy.
Reshaping Philanthropy: Habib University’s Commitment to a Sustainable Educational Future
Dr. Bullock’s lecture resonated deeply with Habib University’s mission. Since its founding in 2014, Habib University has disbursed over $30 million in financial aid and scholarships to students, including $9 million through the Zakat funds. This financial commitment has enabled four out of every five students to pursue their undergraduate education, ensuring that merit and financial need never become barriers to academic success.
However, this model is not simply about financial aid—it is about reshaping philanthropy itself. Higher education in Pakistan receives only 0.06% of all philanthropic contributions, a stark contrast to the urgent need for academic institutions that foster critical thinking, innovation, and societal progress. Habib University is pioneering a transformative shift by making higher education a community-owned mission, where knowledge is valued as a collective societal responsibility rather than a commodity.
The Future of Waqf in Supporting Higher Education
Dr. Bullock highlighted that higher education should not only equip students with economic skills but also cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability—principles deeply embedded in the Islamic concept of tarbiyah, which emphasizes personal growth and ethical development.
Drawing a connection between Habib University and historical waqf-supported institutions, Dr. Bullock envisioned a future where the university, through sustained philanthropic efforts, could provide tuition-free education, much like Al-Qarawiyyin and Al-Azhar. She praised Habib University’s approach to liberal arts education, which aligns with the Islamic tradition of holistic knowledge creation, blending ethics, humanities, and scientific inquiry.
She concluded with a powerful reflection on the legacy of waqf:
“If I asked you what’s the oldest university still operating today? And if you’re thinking it’s the University of Al-Qarawiyyin you’d be right. Established by Fatima al-Fihri in 857 to 859 A.D., and she set it up with a waqf. More than a thousand years later, it’s still operating. You imagine in a thousand years if someone gave a lecture about the free education provided by Habib University because of all the waqf investments to the institution by its Mohsineen.”
Conclusion: Reviving Waqf for a Knowledge-Driven Future
Dr. Bullock’s lecture served as a call to action: By embracing and reviving waqf, universities in the Islamic world—and beyond—can build a more sustainable, equitable, and knowledge-driven future. Habib University, through its Reshaping Philanthropy initiative, is leading the charge in redefining how communities invest in education, ensuring that learning remains an accessible and communal enterprise for generations to come.
