Understanding the Role of Mutawalli in Islamic Charitable Trusts

Mutawalli (Arabic: متولي) is an Islamic term that refers to a person who has been appointed by the court or a legal authority to manage and administer the assets of a waqf (Islamic charitable trust). The mutawalli is responsible for ensuring that the assets of the waqf are used in accordance with the intentions of the founder of the waqf, and that the income generated by the waqf is used for the intended purpose, such as supporting education, healthcare, or other charitable activities.

In practice, the mutawalli is often a trustee or a member of a board of trustees who is responsible for managing the assets of the waqf and ensuring that they are used in accordance with the terms of the waqf deed. The mutawalli may also be responsible for collecting and distributing the income generated by the waqf, as well as for overseeing the administration of the waqf and ensuring that it is being run in accordance with Islamic law.

The concept of mutawalli is an important one in Islamic law, as it provides a mechanism for ensuring that the assets of a waqf are used for charitable purposes, rather than being diverted for personal gain or other unauthorized uses. The mutawalli plays a critical role in upholding the integrity and transparency of the waqf, and in ensuring that the intentions of the founder of the waqf are carried out in accordance with Islamic law.