What can we do with Qur’an that is no longer readable due to being torn?

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

The best method in which to dispose of any unwanted Islamic literature is that it should be buried where no one would normally walk. Alternatively one may after erasing the name of Allah, his messengers and the angels’ burn the rest or put it in flowing water.  (Raddul Muhtar p.130 v.1)

The above rule will apply to shredding; therefore one should first of all remove/erase Allah’s, his messengers’ and angels name before shredding the literature. It is best that the shredded paper is not just thrown in the dustbin but disposed of in the methods mentioned above.

A note of caution, the above ruling does not apply do the Qur’an. The Qur’an must be disposed only by burying it in a place where nobody would normally walk. (Durrul Mukhtar p.130 v.1) However, this may be difficult for some people who may be living in a flat and don’t have a garden or cannot find a piece of land to bury the Qur’an. In this situation it will be permissible to burn or shred pages of the Qur’an or put it in flowing water by tying it with something heavy.

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.