Fatwa #472847 August 2021United Kingdom
Disposing of Islamic literature, leaflets and flyers
Question
Hopfefully a straightforward question.
Can you please advise the correct manner in which to dispose of literature, leaflets etc that have Allahs name written on it in the English language?
The text is in English and not Arabic. Many islamic charities send letters and leaflets in the post and they have the word Allah written in English and also sometimes Hadith written in English so advice would be appreciated on how to dispose of this. I know there is information out there about disponsing Arabic text eg the Quran but nothing I have seen mentions English text. I have added one example of such a letter below. Jazakallah in advance for your help.
If the method is the same, then why do so many good charities (that have respectable hanafi scholars involved) put this sort of text on letters in the post which will often end up on the floor, in the bin etc?
Jazakallah Khair.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The most suitable way to dispose of Islamic literature is to wrap the Islamic material, leaflets, or Quran copies and bury them in an isolated place.[1]
If it is not possible to bury them, then one may dissolve them in a river or lake etc. If this too is not possible, one may burn them.
If the above-mentioned methods of disposal are not feasible, one may recycle the papers in a respectable manner. You should cut out the name of Allah, His angels, and his Messengers, etc., and dispose of the paper in one of the methods mentioned above.
Furthermore, charities often distribute leaflets with Ahadith or verses from the Quran written on them with the hopes of reaching the heart of the recipient. The leaflets are distributed with sincere intentions. It is known that by default, Muslims revere the name of Allah and the sayings of His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). Therefore, it is correct to assume that proper respect will be shown to the leaflets. The charities hand out flyers trusting that their fellow Muslims will respect these items and dispose of them responsibly.
It is incorrect to abandon handing out Islamic literature/leaflets on the simple basis that some individuals may not be careful with it. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said,
حُسْنُ الظَّن مِن حُسْنِ العِبادَة (سنن ابي داود-4993)
To harbour good thoughts is a part of worship. (Abu Dawud-4993)
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Hasan Ahmed Razzak
Student – Darul Iftaa
Paterson, New Jersey, USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
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الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) (1/ 177)
المصحف إذا صار بحال لا يقرأ فيه يدفن كالمسلم، ويمنع النصراني من مسه، وجوزه محمد إذا اغتسل ولا بأس بتعليمه القرآن والفقه عسى يهتدي. ويكره وضع المصحف تحت رأسه إلا للحفظ والمقلمة على الكتاب إلا للكتابة
الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) (1/ 177)
(قوله: يدفن) أي يجعل في خرقة طاهرة ويدفن في محل غير ممتهن لا يوطأ. وفي الذخيرة وينبغي أن يلحد له ولا يشق له؛ لأنه يحتاج إلى إهالة التراب عليه، وفي ذلك نوع تحقير إلا إذا جعل فوقه سقف بحيث لا يصل التراب إليه فهو حسن أيضا
البناية شرح الهداية (12/ 238)
وفي " جامع شمس الأئمة ": الرسائل والآثار والكتب التي لا منفعة فيها يمحى عنها اسم الله وملائكته ورسله، ويحرق بالنار فلو ألقاها في الماء الجاري أو دفنها لا بأس به
والدفن أحسن كما في الأنبياء والأولياء إذا ماتوا، وكذا جميع الكتب إذا بليت وخرجت عن الانتفاع
الفتاوى الهندية (5/ 323)
الْمُصْحَفُ إذَا صَارَ خَلِقًا لَا يُقْرَأُ مِنْهُ وَيُخَافُ أَنْ يَضِيعَ يُجْعَلُ فِي خِرْقَةٍ طَاهِرَةٍ وَيُدْفَنُ، وَدَفْنُهُ أَوْلَى مِنْ وَضْعِهِ مَوْضِعًا يُخَافُ أَنْ يَقَعَ عَلَيْهِ النَّجَاسَةُ أَوْ نَحْوُ ذَلِكَ وَيُلْحَدُ لَهُ؛ لِأَنَّهُ لَوْ شُقَّ وَدُفِنَ يَحْتَاجُ إلَى إهَالَةِ التُّرَابِ عَلَيْهِ، وَفِي ذَلِكَ نَوْعُ تَحْقِيرٍ إلَّا إذَا جُعِلَ فَوْقَهُ سَقْفٌ بِحَيْثُ لَا يَصِلُ التُّرَابُ إلَيْهِ فَهُوَ حَسَنٌ أَيْضًا، كَذَا فِي الْغَرَائِبِ