The Disposition of the Income from an Endowment (Waqf) Designated for the Needy Among the Sons

The questioner:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. A person established a waqf (endowment) that generates income and stated that it is for the needy among his sons, and after them, it is to be used for other acts of righteousness. The sons decided to use the waqf for building a mosque. Is their action valid?

The Shaykh:
What did he mean?

The questioner:
A person established a waqf (endowment) that generates income and stated that it is for the needy among his sons, and after them, it is to be used for other acts of righteousness. The sons decided to use the waqf for building a mosque. Is their action valid?

The Shaykh:
No, it is not valid, it is not valid. Tell them: if they say, "We do not need it, we are self-sufficient," then it should be spent on those who come after them, meaning, as he said, on acts of righteousness, on charity for the needy. The mosque would be cut off; if the mosque is destroyed, the benefit is cut off. But if it remains, is rented out, and generates income, and every year the income is taken and spent on the needy, its benefit continues. So, no one has the right to contradict the action of the one who established the endowment. Yes.