Answered by: Maulana Syed Johir Miah
Question
How can one dispose of old pages of the Quran and Islamic literature that is no longer in use?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
The Quran is the Holy Book for Muslims and it should be revered in all circumstances. However, the pages at times can be ripped or get old and knowing the method to deal with it is of utmost importance.
If the Quran becomes in a condition in which it is not read, it will be buried like a Muslim. [1]
With regards to Islamic literature, the best method in which to dispose of any unwanted Islamic literature is that it should be buried where no one would normally walk.
Then Again, one may after erasing the name of Allah (عز و جل), his messengers and the angels’, burn the rest or put it in flowing water.
The same rule will apply to shredding; hence, a person should remove the name of Allah (عز و جل), His Messengers’ and His angel’s names before shredding the literature.
This literature should be courteously buried or could be put into a river or into the sea.
Any material containing translation or even transliterations of the verses of the Quran should be disposed of either by burying it or placing it in running water.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Maulana Syed Johir Miah
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
[1]المصحف إذا صار بحال لا يقرأ فيه يدفن كالمسلم، ويمنع النصراني من مسه
Raddul Muhtar, 177/1, Darul Fikr, Beirut, Lebanon, 1412 H.