The Muslim Waqf Board is a statutory authority in India established to manage, administer, and oversee waqf properties, which are endowments made by Muslims for religious, educational, and charitable purposes. A waqf typically includes mosques, madrasas, graveyards, orphanages, and other community-centric properties that are designated for the benefit of society according to Islamic law. The waqf system is considered a significant aspect of Islamic philanthropy, supporting religious and social infrastructure in India.

At the national level, the Central Waqf Council supervises the management of waqf properties, while individual states have their own State Waqf Boards to handle local waqf matters. These boards are tasked with maintaining records, resolving disputes, preventing encroachments, and ensuring that waqf assets are utilized as intended. Established under the Waqf Act of 1995, the boards aim to maintain transparency and accountability in the management of waqf properties, although issues of mismanagement, corruption, and political interference have often been reported.

Misinformation and false claims related to waqf properties frequently circulate, especially during elections and communal tensions. In July 2021, BOOM fact-checked a viral claim suggesting that legendary actor Dilip Kumar had donated his property to the Waqf Board.

BOOM reached out to Anees Shaikh, CEO of the Maharashtra State Board of Waqfs, who clarified that no such donation had been made, debunking the misleading narrative.