Clarifying the Historical Facts
In recent years, there has been widespread discussion regarding the Waqf Uthman ibn Affan Hotel, located north of Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah. Many have speculated that this hotel is part of an endowment (waqf) originally established by the Companion Uthman ibn Affan, the third Caliph of Islam. Some even believed that the hotel had a bank account linked to the endowment since the time of the Companions.
However, historical research has debunked this claim, clarifying that this hotel is not connected to the original endowment of Uthman ibn Affan and has no relation to Bi'r Rumah, the famous well, purchased and endowed by the Companion for the benefit of the people of Madinah.
The True Origins of the Hotel
Dr. Abdullah Kabir, a historian specializing in the history of Madinah, has explained that the hotel is actually part of a different endowment known as Waqf Qatar al-Maghrib.
This waqf was established by charitable individuals from Morocco, who had settled in Madinah in the past. They chose to name their endowment after Uthman ibn Affan as a mark of reverence and blessing, due to its proximity to the original house of the Companion on the eastern side of the Prophet’s Mosque.
When Madinah underwent major urban development during the Saudi era, and expansion work on Masjid an-Nabawi began, the property was compensated with a significant financial sum. The benefactors of the endowment used this compensation to purchase land and establish the current hotel as an investment property. The profits from the hotel are directed towards charitable causes, as stipulated by the original benefactors.
The Cause of the Confusion
Dr. Abdullah Kabir emphasizes that the only authentic waqf of the Companion Uthman ibn Affan that still exists today is Bi'r Rumah. This well remains an active endowment, continuously benefiting the people of Madinah since the time of the Prophet ﷺ.
The confusion surrounding the Waqf Uthman ibn Affan Hotel primarily stems from the similarity in names.
During the second Saudi expansion of Masjid an-Nabawi, the original property (the house) was removed, and its owners were compensated. This compensation was recorded in the bank under the name 'Waqf Uthman ibn Affan' which led many to mistakenly believe that the hotel was linked to the historical endowment of the Companion.
Conclusion: Distinguishing Between Historical and Modern Endowments
While the Waqf Uthman ibn Affan Hotel is indeed an Islamic endowment, it is not the same as the Waqf originally established by the Companion Uthman ibn Affan. The only authentic endowment that remains from him today is Bi'r Rumah, a testament to the enduring impact of his generosity.
This serves as an important reminder of the necessity of verifying historical claims and distinguishing between modern endowments and those established by the early generations of Islam.
Understanding these distinctions ensures that the legacy of the Companions remains preserved and accurately represented in historical narratives.
