Comprehensive Definition
Wazifah (وظيفة)
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Appointed Task & Quran Recitation: In Islamic tradition, Wazifah indicates an assigned duty which prominently includes the systematic division and orderly recitation of the Quran. The traditional structure involves dividing the Quran into seven sections to recite in one week or into thirty parts for a monthly recitation.
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Waqf Maintenance: In waqf (endowment) systems, Wazifah denotes allocating financial provision for maintaining religious officials and institutions.
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Taxation: Historically in Islamic taxation, Wazifah refers to a significant source of public revenue estimated from the productivity potential of land, regardless of its actual cultivation status.
Etymology
Derived from the Arabic root “و-ظ-ف” (W-Z-F), Wazifah signifies something that is assigned, appointed, or stipulated. The same root leads to words such as “وظيفة” (Job/Post) and has its implications in varied Arabized contexts of allocation and dedication.
Historical Context
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Quranic Division: The division of the Quran for recitation purposes traces back to early Caliphate times. This systematic approach enabled an organized spiritual practice encompassing the entirety of the holy text.
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Waqf System: The practice of waqf, supporting religious functionaries, has roots in early Islamic society where governance ensured communal services and sustaining scholars and religious activities.
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Revenue Source: Within the Abbasid Caliphate, the estimation of Wazifah as a taxation principle sustained economic structure. Despite periods of innovation, this mode of tax collection contributed remarkably to public wiring.
Cultural Perspectives
Prominent translations of Wazifah across Islamic world languages exhibit distinct linguistic adaptations yet converge on the same denotation:
- Arabic: وظيفة
- Urdu: وظیفه
- Persian: وظیفه
- Turkish: Vazife
- Indonesian: Wazifah
- Bengali: ওযিফা (Ojifa)
Synonyms and Related Terms
- Synonyms: Assignment, Appointment
- Related Terms:
- Qiraa’ah (قراءة): Quranic recitation.
- Waqf (وقف): Endowment.
- Zakat (زكاة): Charity Tax.
- Fara’id (فرائض): Religious obligations.
Exciting Facts
- Early Muslims preferred the seven-section division for weekly engagement with the Quran, facilitating continuous and repetitive interaction with the holy text.
- Waqf systems under the Ottoman Empire notably strengthened educational and healthcare institutions.
- The historical evolution of Wazifah as a major financial norm profoundly impacted the socio-economic landscapes of medieval Islamic states.
Quotations
“Recitation (Wazifah) isn’t just the recollection but the soul’s journey through the annals of divine guidance,” - Fatimah Mernissi.
Quizzes
Farewell dear reader! May the pursuit of knowledge enhance your spiritual journey and guide your explorative path.
Warm regards,
Ibrahim Al-Yamani
