Can we establish an endowment with one or two beneficial books?

The questioner : Can we establish an endowment with one or two beneficial books?

The Shaykh : Yes, meaning you ask: Is it permissible for a person to endow a book or two books?

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : I say: Yes, this is permissible. Seeking knowledge is a type of jihad. Just as we endow horses and camels for jihad in the path of Allah, so we endow religious books for students of knowledge. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said regarding Khalid ibn al-Walid (may Allah be pleased with him), when it was said that he had withheld the zakah: Meaning, he endowed them. So it is permissible for a person to endow beneficial books for a student of knowledge, either generally or for a specific student of knowledge. He would say: This book is an endowment for so-and-so; if he dies, then for so-and-so. Or he would say: For so-and-so; if he dies, then in such-and-such library. If he does not say, "If he dies, then for such-and-such," this is called an endowment with a terminus. When the person for whom it is endowed dies, the correct view is that it is to be used for the general interests of the Muslims. It is to be placed in a library that Muslims frequent and benefit from. Yes.

The questioner : May Allah reward you and bless you, O honorable Shaykh. This questioner says: