Political and Social Aspects of Islamic Religious Endowments (awqāf): Saladin in Cairo (1169–73) and Jerusalem (1187–93)

Abstract

The Ayyubid Sultan Salāḥ al-Dīn (Saladin) used the pious endowment (waqf, pl.awqāf; alternativelyḥubs, hubūs, pi.aḥbās) as a major instrument in his efforts to gain political and military control over Egypt and Syria. In pursuit of this aim, he systematically converted properties belonging to his enemies intoawqāf. The present study investigates some of the legal and social aspects of Saladin'swaqfpolicy in the territories conquered by his armies. Here, I examine Saladin's endowment policy and his political aims from the viewpoint of the Sultan and his court. I will not reflect on the motives of the beneficiaries, those people of religion (al-mu῾ammamūn; literally ‘ the turbaned’) who co-operated with him, even though ‘ mingling with the monarch’ (malikorsultān) apparently clashed with some of the principles stipulated in guides for Suḟi novices.