QUESTION:
Are we allowed to dispose of old Islamic literature especially old worn-out Quraanic texts, Hadith texts, books of scholars, Islamic articles in public newspapers, and what is the correct method of disposal?
ANSWER:
The correct method of disposal is burying in a safe place. Many people burn old worn-out Qur’ans and other Islamic books, which is most definitely not the respectful and correct manner of disposal. Rather, one should bury the Qur’an and other Islamic texts in a place where people will not step on it.
It is stated in Fatawa Ridawiyyah:
“It is not permissible to burn the Qur’an, as stipulated in al-Durr al-Mukhtar. Instead, it should be buried in a safe place where people will not step on it.”
[Fatawa Ridawiyyah 23:376]
It is stated in al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah:
“If the Qur’an becomes old and unravelled, and no longer in a state that one can recite from it, and there is also a risk of its pages becoming detached and thus lost, then it should be draped in a clean cloth and buried in a safe place. When burying it, a Lahd (side pocket in the grave) should be made, so that no soil falls on it. One can also place a plank over it creating a roof and then throw in the soil, so that the soil does not fall on it. If the Qur’an becomes worn-out, it should not be burned.”
[Bahar e Shari’ah with reference to al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah 5:323]
And Allah knows best.
Answered by Mawlana Muhammad Kalim
verified by Mufti Zahid Hussain Al-Qadiri – answer from www.thesunniway.com
Also see:
[Q-ID0610] Can we burn or recycle Islamic books & literature?
