THE ROLE OF THE ENDOWMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPERITY OF THE RIBAT IN JERUSALEM DURING THE OTTOMAN ERA
The city of Jerusalem is one of the great cities in the hearts of all Muslims. God honoured the city by making it the first of the two Qiblahs and placed in it the third of the two holy mosques for Muslims. The city has the most famous and highest scientific centres. This distinction that the city had is one of the reasons that prompted many researchers to consider it in their studies to highlight the milestones Civilization in it from various aspects and in all historical eras. Scholars in Jerusalem took Ribat as places for reading and writing, and they were helped by the presence of libraries full of it. Ribat’s role was not limited to the cultural aspect, but extended to the political aspect. Ribat also played a role in the process of communication, monitoring, and early warning when the country was exposed to danger. The endowment (waqf) played an important role in the political, social and economic life in Palestine in general and Jerusalem in particular. The endowment included lands, real estate, and endowment properties that were allocated to a specific party. The educational endowment was the main source for the revival and development of Jerusalem educational institutions and the fulfillment of the purpose for which it was found. As well as continuing preserving lands from loss and leakage. This called for an independent administration of endowments within the state administration
Keywords: Waqf, Ribat, Dur, Hakura, Aqar