The notion of waqf entails the permanent relinquishment of property, ownership, or material assets, governed by specific criteria for social benefit. The waqf notion, prevalent in the Islamic world, has historically facilitated humanitarian assistance, social unity, spiritual connection, and the pursuit of benevolence. The combination of these emotions, with religious convictions and societal requirements, significantly contributed to the development of the waqf concept. Historically, waqf’s concept has evolved into a multifaceted organization that encompasses social, religious, economic, legal, national, and cultural components. Various forms and methods of waqfs can be observed across different eras in Babylonian, Ancient Egyptian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Western civilizations. During the Ottoman Empire, which was closely intertwined with Islamic thought, waqf’s concepts became zenith. Waqfs were created in Ottoman society to deliver services in various domains, including public, education, religious, health, and social security services. In the nineteenth century and thereafter, transformations in Western countries led to modifications in the legal and administrative dimensions of the waqf concept within the Ottoman territories. The waqfs of today have been secularized and altered since the formation of the Republic.