Q: Is establishing a family trust acceptable in Islam? If so what are the conditions?
A: Presently the family trusts that are in vogue are done mainly for legal purposes and convenience. The waqf is a totally different thing and it has its own set of rules and conditions. The waqf can also be done for a family and the family may lay down the conditions of the trust. We will be in a better position to study the conditions and then see if they all conform with the Shari`ah.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)