Endowment: Altering Endowment Conditions Set by Zoroastrian Founders of a Charitable Hospital
Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei
Endowment: Altering Endowment Conditions Set by Zoroastrian Founders of a Charitable Hospital
English:
Question #1982:
Some Zoroastrians built a hospital and set it aside as an endowment for charitable causes for one thousand years. However, in view of the mechanics of Shi‘ah jurisprudence, is it permissible for the trustees of the endowment to act contrary to the conditions laid down in the endowment deed, which stipulates that if the proceeds from the hospital were more than the expenditure, extra beds have to be bought and added to the existing ones in the hospital?
Answer #1982:
Setting up an endowment by a non-Muslim is as valid as that set up by a Muslim. Accordingly, assigning the hospital by way of an endowment for charitable purposes for one thousand years is legally sound, even though the end of the duration is specified. Therefore, it is obligatory on the trustees to act according to the provisions laid down in the endowment deed.
They should have no excuse for ignoring or trampling them.
-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Endowments