Summary(2 MIN Read): Following recent floods, many Qur'an copies became wet or unusable. Islam teaches that the Qur’an must always be treated with respect. Usable copies should be carefully cleaned and preserved with expert guidance. Unusable copies may be respectfully disposed of by dissolving the ink with water, burning and burying the ashes, or burying them in a clean place. Those unable to manage this individually should do so collectively with guidance from the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU).
Question
What is the proper way to handle Qur’an copies affected by floods?
Fatwa
Reference: ACJU/FTW/2025/33/615/ORG-02
Date: 2025.12.08 (1447.06.16)
Answer:
The Holy Qur’an is the sacred scripture revealed by Allah, the Almighty, to guide humanity towards the Straight Path.
It is the duty of us humans to honor, protect, and act upon its teachings. Islam therefore guides us on how to act in situations where copies of the Qur’an become unusable or soiled.
As we know, the disaster that affected our country in the past weeks has rendered many copies of the Qur’an in masājid and makātib wet and unusable.
Therefore, the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) requests that the following guidelines be observed when dealing with such copies of the Qur’an:
1. Copies which are in a usable state
These copies of the Qur’an should be cleaned and prepared for reuse. Seeking expert advice and using appropriate cleaning methods — such as placing them in a suitable freezer — is recommended.
2. Copies which are in an unusable state
a) Dissolving the script
Copies that are completely unusable may be washed with clean water until the ink dissolves completely. Thereafter, this water must be poured in a clean place.
b) Burning and burying
These copies can be gathered and burnt in a clean place. If dampness hinders burning, appropriate chemical substances may be used to assist. The ashes should then be buried in a clean location.
c) Burying
These copies may also be placed in a suitable box and buried in a clean place where people do not usually walk.
Those who have the facilities to follow any of the above methods individually may do so. Those unable to handle this individually are advised to gather the copies and undertake the process in an organized manner, and to obtain advice from their respective ACJU branch.
For further advice regarding this matter, you may contact the Fatwa Division emergency hotline at 011 749 0420.
And Allah knows best.
Ash-Sheikh M.T.M. Salman
Acting Secretary – Fatwa Division
All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama
Ash-Sheikh M. Arkam Nooramith
General Secretary
All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama
Mufti M.I.M. Rizwe
President
All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama