All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all of his family and companions.
Endowment is one of the greatest channels of charity since it is an ongoing charity and its reward is a continuous one, for the Prophet (PBUH) said (What means): "When a man dies all his good deeds come to an end except three: Ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), beneficial knowledge and a righteous son who prays for him." [Sound narration related by At-Tirmithi].
Moreover, this idea was observed by the righteous companions whereas most of them endowed some of their assets for the interests of Muslims, for Abu Talhah came to Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said: "Allah says in His Book: 'By no means shall you attain Al-Birr, unless you spend (in Allah's Cause) of that which you love,' and the dearest of my property is Bairuha' so I have given it as Sadaqah (charity) for Allah's sake, and I anticipate its reward with Him;" in addition, Omar (May Allah be pleased with him) endowed a piece of land in Khaibar as stated by Al-Bukhary When `Umar got a piece of land in Khaibar, he came to the Prophet (PBUH) saying: "I have got a piece of land, better than which I have never got. So what do you advise me regarding it?" The Prophet (PBUH) said: "If you wish you can keep it as an endowment to be used for charitable purposes." So, `Umar gave the land in charity (i.e. as an endowments on the condition that the land would neither be sold nor given as a present, nor bequeathed;"
There is consensus among Muslim jurists on the permissibility of establishing a Waqf (Endowment) for the benefit of the Muslim Ummah(Nation), such as that whose returns are spent on hospitals, schools and mosques. Al-Imrani (May Allah have mercy on him) said: "It is valid to endow every item whose basis is kept undiminished, such as plots of land, clothes, furniture, weapons and animals" {Al-Bayan Fi Math-hab al-Imam Al-Shafie}. In this regard, one of the most admirable moments occurred long time ago
It is stated in resolution No.(
142) by the Board of Iftaa' what follows:" As regards voluntary charity, it is permissible to give it to the poor as well as others.
According to Muslim scholars, continuous charity takes the rules of a Waqf (endowment).We pray that Allah, The Almighty, Accepts covering the expenses of poor students' education as a continuous charity whose benefit would last forever."
In conclusion, we (Iftaa' Dept.) ask Allah to accept the act of donating computers and printers for the benefit of the poor in addition to other charitable acts as endowment (ongoing charity with endless reward), so long as this endowment wasn't deducted from or violated the funds of obligatory Zakah, since the latter has its own channels and violating them is impermissible. And Allah Knows Best.
