Question: If a paper has verses from the Quran or the holy names of Allah written on it, what should we do with it? Is it permissible to throw such paper in the garbage?

Answer:
To dispose of such papers that contain holy words, one of the following methods can be adopted:

1. Hand them over to a recycling center:

Hand them over to an institution where they can be reused to make cartons, etc. This method is the best because it does not involve waste.

2. Bury in the ground:

Bury these papers in the ground in a holy place with respect and courtesy.

3. Throwing in running water:

Throw such papers in a natural flowing water (such as a river or stream) so that they dissolve over time.

Remember:-
It is not permissible according to Sharia law to burn or throw such papers in the trash.

Fiqh references:-

Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: Istifta’at, Vol. 1, Question 76

Ayatollah Khamenei: Answers to Istifta’at, Questions 162, 163, 165

Ayatollah Sistani: Risala Jame’, Vol. 1, Issue 428

Office of all the jurists: This is the ruling in the opinion of all the jurists.

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