Knowledge waqf refers to the voluntary and perpetual endowment of intellectual assets—such as teaching, research, and mentorship—for public benefit, deeply rooted in Islamic philanthropic traditions. Using Creswell’s (2013) qualitative literature review approach, this paper examines the evolution, application, and ethical challenges of knowledge waqf in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Middle East. Key obstacles include weak governance frameworks, legal ambiguities, and ethical concerns about honoraria. The study proposes innovative strategies such as blockchain-enabled transparency and Open Educational Resources (OER) to revitalize knowledge waqf. It advances a hybrid governance model integrating Islamic ethics and modern administrative mechanisms. Theoretically, this paper expands the waqf paradigm to intellectual capital, aligning it with the Maqasid al-Shariah and SDG 4. The findings underscore the potential of knowledge waqf to foster educational equity and sustainability, offering policymakers a faith-based, ethically grounded tool for inclusive academic development.
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