How to Deal with Papers Containing the Mention of Allah

The brother also says at the end of his letter: Some people write verses from the Qur'an or "In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate" on wedding invitation cards or for other matters. These cards may be thrown in the trash, disrespected, stepped on, or played with by children. There are also people who disrespect papers containing the Basmala or other verses. We seek guidance in such a matter?
Answer: The writer must do what is prescribed. If he writes a letter or an invitation to a feast or something else, he should do what is prescribed regarding the invocation of the name of Allah. If he mentions a verse from the Qur'an that is appropriate for the occasion, there is no harm in it. The person to whom it is written must respect it and not throw it in the trash or in a place where it is disrespected. If he disrespects it, he is the one who commits the sin, while the writer does not commit a sin. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to write "In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate" in his letters, and sometimes he would write some verses. So the one who writes should use what is prescribed from the invocation of the name, and mention some verses when needed, as well as hadiths. The one who disrespects this book or this letter is the one who commits the sin. He should preserve it, burn it, or bury it. It is not permissible to throw it in the garbage, or for children to disrespect it, or to use it to store some items, or the like. This is not permissible. Likewise, what some people do with newspapers and magazines, using them as a tablecloth for food or as a folder for their needs to take home, all of this is not permissible. This is a disrespect for them, as they may contain verses and hadiths from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). This action is not permissible. Rather, these newspapers that one obtains should either be preserved in one's library or in any place, or burned, or buried in a good place. Likewise, if a mushaf (written copy of the Qur'an) is torn and no longer fit for use, it should be buried in good earth or burned, just as Uthman burned the mushafs that were no longer needed. Many people do not pay attention to this matter. One should be aware of this. Newspapers and letters that are no longer needed should either be buried in good earth or burned. It is not permissible to use them as folders for needs, as tablecloths for food, or to throw them in the trash. All of this is reprehensible and not permissible. May Allah help us. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.