When papers bear Allah’s names or Qur’anic verses, burying or pulping them respectfully — not casually burning or discarding — is the preferred, scholar-backed way to remove them.
What are the lawful methods for obliterating sacred names and Qur’anic verses when necessary? Is burning pages that contain the divine names or Quranic verses permitted in cases of necessity to preserve privacy or secrets?
Burying them in the ground or turning them into pulp with water is not objectionable. However, permitting burning is problematic and — if it amounts to disrespect — is not allowed, except where necessity requires it and separating the Qur’anic verses and the sacred names is impossible.
What about cutting the sacred names and Qur’anic verses into tiny pieces so that even two letters are no longer connected and the text is unreadable? Or does altering the written form (adding or removing letters) suffice to nullify the legal status of the written divine names?
Answer: Cutting them into pieces in the manner described is not permitted if it counts as disrespect. If it does not count as disrespect, mere cutting is insufficient unless it fully obliterates the words; likewise, changing the script by adding or removing letters does not automatically remove the legal status of letters deliberately used to write the divine names. However, it is conceivable that altering letters in such a way that it amounts to actual erasure could remove the legal status, although as a precaution one should avoid touching them without wudu.
What is the ruling on throwing objects that include the names of God into streams and gutters — is that considered an insult?
Answer: If throwing them into streams and waterways is not regarded as disrespect by local custom, then there is no objection.
Is it necessary, when discarding corrected exam papers, to ensure that the names of God or the names of the Imams are not on them? Is discarding single-sided used paper wasteful (is it considered israf) if the other side is blank?
Answer regarding Qur’an and sacred names: Careful inspection is not required; when it is not established that the divine names appear on a sheet, throwing it away is not objectionable. But papers that could be reused in industry (for card-board making or similar) or those that are written on only one side — for which the blank reverse could still be used for writing — should not be burned or thrown away needlessly, because doing so could amount to wastefulness. (From answers to juristic queries.)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: whoever shows respect to the Qur’an shows respect to God, and whoever does not preserve the Qur’an’s dignity treats divine honour lightly.
Question: When Qur’ans, Mafatih or similar books become worn, how should they be obliterated?
Answer: You may cast them into a stream of water or bury them; recently some people hand them to paper-recycling factories where they are pulped and their form is changed. (Fatwas of Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi.)
Respect for sacred names must be preserved; throwing them into places that local custom regards as disgraceful or insulting is not permissible. Therefore, the best practice is to designate a container or a place to collect such names and words, and after some time to bury the contents in a clean place (for example a desert) or cast them into flowing water. Although erasing words with certain chemical solvents is permitted, burning Qur’anic verses, Qur’ans whose pages are ripped, or the sacred names of God or the Imams is generally not allowed. (Resalah of Ayatollah Sistani.)
Tip |
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Burying the pages in the earth or turning them into pulp with water is permitted. |
Burning is generally discouraged and may be forbidden if it is disrespectful; only permitted in cases of necessity when separation is impossible. |
If a dressing or alteration would be disrespectful, avoid shredding or cutting; mere alteration of letters usually does not remove the sacred status unless it results in true obliteration. |
Throwing pages into a stream is acceptable if local custom does not consider that insulting. |
If paper can be reused (e.g., sent to a cardboard/paper factory), avoid burning or discarding it wastefully. |
As a precaution, avoid touching such writings without wudu if possible. |
