Ruling on Compensation for Damaging a Waqf Property

Authored by: Fatwas of the Saudi Fatwa Committee

Anyone who damages or destroys a waqf (endowment) property is:

1. Obligated to pay compensation for the damage caused.
   
   • For example, if utensils or a water cooler in a mosque are part of a waqf and someone damages them, they must compensate for the loss.
2. Accountable for sin:
   
   • Such an act is considered sinful, and the person must sincerely repent for their wrongdoing.
3. Compensation Process:
   
   • If the damaged item is replaceable with a similar item (e.g., standard equipment), the replacement must be made from equivalent goods.
   • If the item is valued monetarily, the compensation must be paid in cash equivalent to its market value.

This ruling underscores the sanctity of waqf properties and the need to preserve them responsibly.

[Reference: Ibn Uthaymeen, Liqaa Al-Bab Al-Maftuh, Vol. 12, Page 154]