As for the remaining conditions asked about, each requires a separate discussion for which this paper has insufficient space. We have, however, stated the governing principle. The believer in Allah must constantly consider whatever Allah and His Messenger love to see in people and strive to bring it about through endowments and other means. Whatever Allah and His Messenger dislike, he must strive to eliminate. As for what Allah neither dislikes nor loves, he should leave it aside and make neither entitlement to an endowment’s benefits nor exclusion from them—nor anything else—conditional upon it.

Allah, glorified and exalted, knows best what is correct. All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all worlds. May Allah bless our master Muhammad, his family, and his Companions, and grant them abundant peace until the Day of Judgment.

He—may Allah have mercy on him—was asked:

“In a religious lodge, ten poor men reside. Within that lodge is a dwelling occupied by an unmarried woman, an ordinary woman. The founder of the endowment did not stipulate that she should have accommodation in that lodge, and she is not related to him. No one other than this woman lives in the dwelling, and its entrance lies behind the lodge’s outer door, which is closed upon it. Is she permitted to live among these resident poor men or not? Please give us a ruling.”

He answered:

“If the founder stipulated that only men should reside there, whether unmarried or married, she must be prevented from residing there in accordance with that condition. Likewise, a woman residing among men, or men residing among women, is prohibited as a matter of Allah’s right. Allah knows best.”