Ruling on Burning the Qur'an Accidentally and Intentionally

We received a letter from Fath Allah Jirjis from Iraq, Nineveh. In his letter, he asks: What is the penalty for one who burned the Noble Qur'an accidentally and did not realize it until after the act had passed?
Answer: He owes nothing, whether he did it accidentally or intentionally, because it is torn and no longer useful; burning it prevents it from being disrespected, so there is no harm in that. When the Qur'an is torn and shredded and no longer useful, it is burned or buried in a clean place so that it is not disrespected. Therefore, if he burned it accidentally without knowing it was the Qur'an, there is no blame on him for that. Or if he burned it intentionally because it was torn and unsuitable for reading, and he burned it so that it would not be disrespected, there is no harm in that. However, if he burned it while cursing it, hating it, and loathing it, that is apostasy from Islam. We seek refuge in Allah. The one who burns it out of hatred and loathing for it is committing a great evil and apostasy from Islam. Likewise, if he sits on it or steps on it with his foot in contempt for it, or smears it with impurity, all of this is apostasy from Islam. We seek refuge in Allah. If a Muslim is found to be openly and clearly disrespecting the Qur'an, such as stepping on it with his foot, or sitting on it with his buttocks, or smearing it with impurity, or cursing it and cursing the one who spoke it, or the like of this, then this is apostasy from Islam. We seek refuge in Allah... and it is major disbelief. We ask Allah for safety. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.