Fatwa ID: 07635
Answered by: Maulana Sibghat Ullah
Question:
There are times when I receive some Christian pamphlets or Jehovah witness pamphlets in my mailbox. How do I dispose of them because I want to make sure that I do it correctly since sometimes it may contain the name of isa alayhi salam and I have to be careful?
An imam told me today that to put the leaflets in hot water and bleach to remove the text as I told him that I live in a flat and don’t have a garden. So I did what he told me to do and he also told me to shred the pieces and then dispose of it. So I did that and shredded it using scissors into smaller pieces. And then I disposed of it in a bag in the recycling bin. But then later I took it out and tried to burn it and I wasn’t able to burn it properly. So i put the rest back into a bag and disposed of it in the recycling bin. Did I do the right thing?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
The books that contain Allah’s names, His words, His angels and names of His messengers are sacred. Therefore, such books, pages or texts when worn-out or no longer beneficial should be disposed of with utmost respect. There are different ways to discard them.
- Burying the Texts (دفن الكتب)
One of the most recommended ways to dispose of a sacred text is by burying it in a clean, pure place. The text should be wrapped in a clean cloth and buried in a place where people will not walk or disrespect the area. This method resembles the burial of deceased Muslims and is considered respectful.
- Placing the Books in Water (غمره بالماء)
Another method is to place the sacred texts in flowing water, such as a river, to allow the ink to dissolve. This ensures that the words are erased respectfully and the paper eventually disintegrates.
- Burning the Texts Respectfully (إحراق الكتب بطريقة محترمة)
Though it might sound harsh, burning is allowed in specific cases, provided it is done with the intention of safeguarding the sacred text from desecration. The ashes should be buried afterward in a respectful manner.
So, putting it in recycling bin is not permissible. However, if you ensure that Allah’s name and the sacred text are completely erased, like dissolving the ink in water then it will be permissible and it will be similar to placing books in water as mentioned above.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Maulana Sibghat Ullah
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
Fatawa Hindiyya, Vol. 5, p. 323
وإذا استغنى المصحف الذي لا ينتفع به يستحب أن يدفن في محل طاهر
“If a Mushaf (Qur’an) is no longer usable, it is recommended to bury it in a pure place.”
Fatawa Hindiyya, Vol. 5, p. 323
أَو يُغْمِرُهُ فِي المَاءِ حَتَّى تَذْهَبَ كِتَابَتُهُ
“Or he should submerge it in water until the writing disappears.”
Fatawa Hindiyya, Vol. 5, p. 323
وَإِنْ أَحْرَقَهَا جَازَ
If he burns it, it is permissible.
