❖ Sharʿī Method for Disposing of Burnt or Worn-Out Copies of the Qur’an ❖
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, p. 131
If a copy of the Mushaf (Qur’an) becomes burnt or worn out, what should be done with it? Should it be buried, or is there another proper method for its disposal?
Alḥamdulillāh, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
Scholars have mentioned four possible methods:
Of these four, the first three are not established through authentic precedent, whereas the fourth method — burning — is firmly established from the practice of the Companions, particularly ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān رضي الله عنه.
According to Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (ḥadīth: 746):
When ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه standardized the Qur’anic text and dispatched official copies to various regions, he ordered that all other copies (with differing readings or incomplete compilation) be burned.
Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar رحمه الله comments in Fatḥ al-Bārī (9/17):
“When ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه ordered the burning of older manuscripts, many people were present, and no one objected.”
Imām Ibn Baṭṭāl رحمه الله stated:
“This ḥadīth proves that worn-out or unusable copies of the Qur’an may be burned to protect them from disrespect or desecration.”
ʿAbd al-Razzāq narrates from Ṭāwūs:
“Whenever papers bearing the name of Allah (بسم الله) would accumulate, he would burn them.”
ʿUrwah ibn Zubayr رحمه الله used to burn worn Qur’anic papers to preserve their sanctity.
Based on the action of ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه and the practice of the Tabiʿīn:
✔ Burning old or damaged Mushafs is permissible and even recommended,
✔ Because it ensures protection from desecration,
✔ Unlike burying or submerging in water, which may carry risk of later disrespect.
If a Mushaf becomes burnt or excessively old, the best and most proven method is to burn it respectfully, just as practiced by ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه and approved by the Companions.
This is the most effective way to safeguard the honor and sanctity of the Noble Qur’an.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, p. 131❖ Question
If a copy of the Mushaf (Qur’an) becomes burnt or worn out, what should be done with it? Should it be buried, or is there another proper method for its disposal?
❖ Answer
Alḥamdulillāh, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
➊ Four Common Methods of Disposal
Scholars have mentioned four possible methods:
- Burying it in a graveyard
- Releasing it into water
- Burying it securely in a clean, protected place
- Burning it
Of these four, the first three are not established through authentic precedent, whereas the fourth method — burning — is firmly established from the practice of the Companions, particularly ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān رضي الله عنه.➋ Practice of the Companions
According to Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (ḥadīth: 746):When ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه standardized the Qur’anic text and dispatched official copies to various regions, he ordered that all other copies (with differing readings or incomplete compilation) be burned.
Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar رحمه الله comments in Fatḥ al-Bārī (9/17):“When ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه ordered the burning of older manuscripts, many people were present, and no one objected.”
Imām Ibn Baṭṭāl رحمه الله stated:“This ḥadīth proves that worn-out or unusable copies of the Qur’an may be burned to protect them from disrespect or desecration.”
ʿAbd al-Razzāq narrates from Ṭāwūs:“Whenever papers bearing the name of Allah (بسم الله) would accumulate, he would burn them.”
ʿUrwah ibn Zubayr رحمه الله used to burn worn Qur’anic papers to preserve their sanctity.➌ Preferred Sharʿī Ruling (Rajih Opinion)
Based on the action of ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه and the practice of the Tabiʿīn:
✔ Burning old or damaged Mushafs is permissible and even recommended,
✔ Because it ensures protection from desecration,
✔ Unlike burying or submerging in water, which may carry risk of later disrespect.
Further References for Detailed Study
- Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah (4/227)
- Tafsīr al-Ṭabarī
- Fatāwā Barkātiyyah (p. 313)
- Fatāwā al-Lajnah al-Dāʾimah (4/98)
➍ Conclusion
If a Mushaf becomes burnt or excessively old, the best and most proven method is to burn it respectfully, just as practiced by ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه and approved by the Companions.
This is the most effective way to safeguard the honor and sanctity of the Noble Qur’an.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
