Substitution of Waqf (Istibdal)

Question

An Islamic institution has an endowed (waqf) house whose rent is monthly, and it is in such a dilapidated state that it may collapse at any time; every year more than its income is spent on its repairs and so on. The institution does not have enough money to have it rebuilt from scratch. In such a situation, can this waqf house be sold and some other property bought or built with its price? And can it be given the name of this waqf house?

Answer

Since more money is spent on its repairs than its income, and there is no scope for new construction, its benefit is lost. In such a situation, if it is sold and another house is bought in its place and made waqf, that is correct — indeed commendable — especially when the income from the newly bought house will be comparatively greater.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.