Waqf Amendment Act 2025 (UMEED Act).

 

🌙 What is Waqf Property?

1. Waqf means donation for religious or charity purpose by Muslims. Once donated, it belongs to God, and people just manage it for religious or helping others' use.

2. It can be written, legal, or even oral. Even if a place is used for religious work for many years, it can be seen as a Waqf property.

3. You can’t take back Waqf property. Once you give it for Waqf, it’s permanent and can’t be reversed.

4. India has the most Waqf lands. After Indian Railways and Army, Waqf Board is the 3rd largest landholder – 8.7 lakh properties, worth around ₹1.2 lakh crore!

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🕌 Where Did Waqf Come From?

1. Started during Delhi Sultanate – Like, Sultan Muizuddin gave villages to a mosque in Multan and gave a religious leader the duty to manage it.

2. British didn't like it. In 19th century, the British called it “the worst kind of property” and tried to stop it.

3. 1913: Indian Muslims got support. The Mussalman Waqf Validating Act allowed Waqf again despite British rules.

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📜 Waqf Act of 1995 – What It Did?

1. Made proper laws to manage Waqf properties.

2. Set up Waqf Boards in each state and also Central Waqf Council.

3. Created Waqf Tribunals to solve Waqf disputes like a civil court.

4. Tribunal decisions are final. Normal courts can’t interfere.

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🆕 What is Waqf Amendment Act 2025 (UMEED Act)?

In April 2025, Parliament passed a new law to update and improve the old Waqf system.

UMEED = Unified Management Empowerment Efficiency & Development

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🔑 Important Changes in UMEED Act

1. Renaming – The Waqf Amendment Act is now called UMEED Act for better and modern image.

2. Non-Muslims can join – Now even non-Muslims can be members of State and Central Waqf Boards to make it more inclusive.

3. ‘Waqf by user’ is removed – Before, if a property was used like a mosque for long time, it could be called Waqf. Now, that’s stopped. But old ones still remain valid unless there’s a fight with the govt.

4. Section 40 is removed – Earlier, Waqf Board could randomly declare any land as Waqf. Now they can't do that anymore.

5. Muslim Trusts are separate – Muslim-created trusts for public charity will not be treated as Waqf.

6. Only practicing Muslims (5 years+) can dedicate Waqf – This brings back the old rule before 2013.

7. Protects inheritance – Women, children, widows, and orphans must get their legal share first before any property is turned into Waqf.

8. Old disputes won't drag forever – Now, Limitation Act 1963 applies. So, cases can't go on forever.

9. Tribal land is protected – Waqf can’t be made on lands of tribal people (Schedule V and VI areas).

10. Waqf Tribunal will still have 3 people – Earlier plan was to reduce members, but now it stays the same (thanks to JPC suggestion).

11. Government property can’t be claimed easily – A high-ranking officer will now check if any govt land is truly Waqf.

12. No more Waqf Tribunal for disputes – If there’s a fight over property, a top govt officer will decide, not tribunal.

13. You can now appeal to High Court – Earlier, only limited revision was allowed. Now you can fully appeal.

14. All property must be registered online – Within 6 months, all Waqf properties must be updated on a central online portal.

15. Waqf income above ₹1 lakh = Audit – To stop fraud, such institutions must go through a proper income audit.

16. Financial freedom improved – Waqf Boards will now take only 5% of income (earlier was 7%) so more money can go to real charity.

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💡 Why is UMEED Act Important?

1. Stops misuse of Waqf lands and helps stop corruption.

2. Brings technology – Like online portals, audits, and clear records.

3. Protects people’s rights – Like widows, kids, tribal groups.

4. More diversity – Non-Muslim members and more women can join boards.

5. Faster, cleaner system – Cases won’t go on for years now.

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⚠️ Criticism of UMEED Act

1. Against religious freedom? – Some say non-Muslims joining Waqf Boards goes against Article 25 & 26 of the Constitution.

2. Too much govt control – Govt now has more power than Waqf Boards, people say it's too much interference.

3. No proper consultation – Muslim groups feel they were not properly asked or involved before this law.

4. Waqf-by-user removed – Some very old religious places may lose protection if they don’t have papers.

5. Disputes may increase – Now, officers will decide disputes, not tribunal. People fear this can create more legal drama.

📊 Flow Diagram: Waqf Amendment Act 2025 (UMEED Act)

                +---------------------------+
                |     Waqf Act 1995         |
                | Management of Waqf lands  |
                +---------------------------+
                            |
                            ↓
            +-------------------------------+
            | Problems: Misuse, corruption, |
            | long cases, lack of clarity   |
            +-------------------------------+
                            ↓
             +------------------------------+
             | UMEED Act 2025 (Amendment)   |
             | Unified Management Empowered |
             | Efficiency & Development     |
             +------------------------------+
                            ↓
         +---------------------------------------------+
         | 🔄 Key Changes in UMEED Act:                |
         |                                             |
         | 1. Non-Muslims in Waqf Boards              |
         | 2. 'Waqf-by-user' removed                  |
         | 3. Section 40 deleted                      |
         | 4. Online property portal                  |
         | 5. Appeals to High Court allowed           |
         | 6. Protection of inheritance & tribal land |
         | 7. Govt officer to decide land disputes    |
         +---------------------------------------------+
                            ↓
        +---------------------------------------------+
        | ✅ Benefits:                                |
        | - Transparency & audits                     |
        | - Faster resolution                         |
        | - Financial flexibility                     |
        +---------------------------------------------+
                            ↓
        +---------------------------------------------+
        | ⚠️ Criticism:                              |
        | - Religious rights concerns                 |
        | - Govt interference                         |
        | - Lack of Muslim consultation               |
        +---------------------------------------------+






❓ Quick Quiz (Fun Style)
Q1. What does UMEED stand for?

A) Unity, Management, Empowerment, Education & Discipline

B) Unified Management Empowerment Efficiency and Development

C) Universal Muslim Education & Economic Development

👉 Answer: B

Q2. Who can now join Waqf Boards under UMEED Act?

A) Only Imams

B) Non-Muslims also

C) Only Government Officers

👉 Answer: B

Q3. What happens to ‘Waqf by user’ under the new law?

A) It becomes stronger

B) It's removed completely

C) It is only allowed in mosques

👉 Answer: B