05-22-2011, 08:26 AM
Destroying material on which Allah's Name is mentioned
Fatwa Date : Safar 11, 1423 / 24-4-2002
Question
I am an inhabitant of Muslim country though Muslims are not much conscious here. In our country traditionally "Bismillahi al-Rrahmani al-Rrahim" is used to be written at the top of poster, banner, festoon, pamphlet, etc. It does not matter but the problem arises when these are thrown in street where people loiter without much caring for. If I find such poster or pamphlet should I tear the portion where "Bismillahi al-Rrahmani al-Rrahim" is written? It can be done with ease if only 1 or 2 is thrown away but when numerous of these are scattered in street what to do?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
One can get rid of papers that include the Name of Allah or Qur'anic verses by burning/wetting and then burying them or by special modern machine (shredder) that destroys papers.
Uthman Ibn 'Affan (Radiya Allahu Anhu) ordered the burning or cutting into pieces the old sheets on which the Qur'an was written after collecting them and compiling their contents into a complete copy.
In the same vein, the above-way of getting rid of papers that include Allah's Name/Qur'anic verses is also reported from 'Urwa Ibn al-Zubair and Tawoos .
But, if there is a large quantity of such papers, then one can do as mentioned above and according to his ability.
Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {So keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him as much as you can; …} [64:16].
After that, you have to do your best to make Muslims aware of the issue you raised and possible solutions: Burning/burying papers that include Allah's Name or Qur'anic verses.
Allah knows best.
