Asaad al-Tahir Al-Sulaiman Endowments (Awqafs) in Nablus city ‎1265 AH/1849 AD – 1287 AH/1871 AD. An analytical study

Objectives:‌This study investigates the endowments of Asaad al-‌Tahir Al-Sulaiman , one of the notables of the city of ‌Nablus , which were registered in the Nablus Sharia ‌Court during the period between 1849 -1871. The ‌problematic question in this study is how to read , study ‌and analyze the texts of the endowment documents ,and ‌in what context it is possible to understand their ‌textual content. As for the spatial and temporal ‌limits of the study, the spatial limit was mainly ‌confined to the city of Nablus, while the temporal ‌dimension comprises the period between 1849 - ‌‌1871, during which the endowments were ‌recorded.‌Methodology :‌This study is based on the Endowments documents and ‌Nablus Sharia Court records during the period under ‌investigation. It was divided into three axes. The first ‌axis focuses on translating the life of the owner of ‌Endowments, while the second axis addresses the ‌components of Endowments and their characteristics ‌‌.The third axis deals with the different types of ‌Endowment.‌In this study, we followed basically the historical-‌analytical approach. we also relied on the statistical ‌quantitative approach by collecting numerical data and ‌presenting it in tables.‌Results :‌The study produced a number of results; Firstly, ‌Endowment documents are considered one of the ‌primary sources in historical documentation and writing.‌It also bears witness to the history of the city of Nablus ‌and reflects a realistic picture of the public life of the ‌Nablus community during the period under investigation ‌‌.‌In addition to the contribution of family endowments to ‌the economic and social development of society ‌‌.‌Recommendations:‌‌1- Paying attention to the records of the Sharia ‌courts of various Palestinian cities by working ‌on classifying and indexing them, and ‌investigating of endowment documents. ‌‌2- Preserving and restoring the remaining ‌endowment properties because of their ‌historical and cultural heritage that remains a ‌living witness to the Arab‌ ‌identity of Palestine.‌