أوقاف النساء في القدس – دراسة تاريخية اجتماعية في ضوء سجلات المحكمة الشرعية

This study looks into the waqfs that have been set up in Al-Quds by ladies during the Ottoman period. The study results from IRCICA’s efforts aimed at collecting and examining documents concerning the heritage of Al-Quds. It is based on the registers of the Sharia Court of Al-Quds having functioned during the Ottoman era. These registers contain important information which is not found in other sources that are usually referred in most earlier studies. Due to this, the present study is the first of its kind, having used those first-hand documents. The information found in the court registers helps the researchers to understand the role played by women in the economic and social life of the society of Al-Quds, a role which is not known fully. The book shows that the contribution of women in Al-Quds waqfs was considerable, it was not limited to inheritance waqfs (waqf dharri) but extended to charitable waqfs (waqf khayri) in various areas. The deeds of those waqfs reveal that their founders owned financial resources and had the authority to invest. The book contains colour photographs of certain waqfs set up by women, a table summarizing women’s waqfs in the light of the Sharia court registers and samples of deeds indicating endowments.