How to dispose of an old Quran in the UK
If you have an old, torn or water-damaged Quran, you cannot simply throw it away. Scholars describe a few respectful ways to retire a mushaf: repair it, pass it to a mosque, bury it or burn it completely. Here is each option, what scholars say about it, and how to do it practically in the UK.
Last updated: 3 October 2026
The respectful options, in order
| Option | How | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Repair or re-use it | If the copy can be rebound or the loose pages kept together, keep using it, or give it to someone who can. | Always the first choice |
| 2. Give it to a mosque | Many UK mosques collect worn copies and dispose of them respectfully in bulk. Ask before leaving books, as not every mosque can take them. | The easiest option for most people |
| 3. Bury it | Wrap it in clean cloth and bury it in a clean place where people will not walk over it, deep enough to stay covered. A private garden is the usual place in the UK. | Preferred by many scholars, including in the Hanafi school |
| 4. Burn it completely | Burn it fully, so that no words remain readable, then bury or scatter the ash in a clean place. ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan had copies with variant wording burned after the standard mushaf was prepared (Sahih al-Bukhari 4987). | Accepted by many scholars, especially in the Shafi‘i and Maliki schools |
Whichever method you choose, the intention is the same: to protect the words of Allah from being trodden on, thrown away or treated as rubbish.
Doing it in the UK
- Phone your local mosque first. Many have a box or room for worn copies and arrange respectful disposal. Some ask you to bring only Qurans, not other books.
- Burial at home: wrap the copy in clean cloth, choose a spot away from paths and drains, and dig deep enough that it will not be disturbed by planting.
- Burning at home: make sure the fire burns everything, and be considerate of neighbours; councils can act on smoke that causes a nuisance.
- Never put a mushaf in general waste, recycling, a charity shop’s book bin or a skip.
Before you dispose of it
Check whether the copy really is beyond use. A Quran with a broken spine can often be rebound cheaply, and a complete but worn copy is a gift to someone learning. If it is a Qaida or a children’s reading book, the same respect applies to any pages with Quranic verses.
Looking after a mushaf is part of a wider adab; see the etiquette of reading the Quran. If the copy is being replaced, our guides to the Uthmani script and the colour coded Quran may help you choose the new one. To keep reading it every day, see how much Quran to read daily.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put an old Quran in the recycling bin?
No. Putting a mushaf in household waste or recycling exposes it to disrespect, and scholars agree this should be avoided. Use one of the respectful options: a mosque, burial or complete burning.
Can I shred an old Quran?
Some scholars allow shredding if the pieces are so small that no word can be read, after which the shreds are buried or disposed of in a clean place. Others prefer burial or burning. Ask your local imam.
What about Islamic books, translations and pages with Allah’s name?
Treat them with the same respect: keep pages with Quranic verses or the name of Allah off the floor and out of rubbish, and use the same respectful methods when they are worn out.
Can I burn a Quran in my garden in the UK?
Garden fires are not banned in general, but councils can act if smoke causes a nuisance, and some areas have extra rules. Choose a time and place that will not bother neighbours, or give the copy to a mosque instead.
Make your new mushaf a daily habit
Three free one-to-one Quran lessons in UK time, for children and adults.