The respectful guide to old Islamic books
Practical, plainly-written articles on what to do with Qurans, religious literature, and sacred papers you can no longer use — grounded in classical Islamic scholarship.
How to dispose of an old Quran respectfully in the UK
Four permissible methods according to classical scholarship — and which one is right for you.
Fiqh · 5 min readCan you throw away Islamic books? What the scholars say
The short answer is no. The longer answer explains why, and what to do instead.
Fiqh · 5 min readIs it haram to burn an old Quran? The ruling explained
Classical scholarship permits burning as a last resort — but in modern Britain it's rarely the right choice. Here's why.
Practical · 5 min readCan you recycle old Qurans or Islamic books?
What actually happens to paper in the UK recycling stream — and why burial, not the green bin, is the right answer.
For families · 6 min readClearing a loved one's Islamic books after a death
A compassionate guide for families sorting the Qurans, religious books, and prayer papers a parent or grandparent leaves behind.
Practical · 4 min readBoxes of religious books in your loft? You're not alone.
Why so many Muslim households hold onto unusable religious material — and how to let go respectfully.
For parents & madrasas · 5 min readWhat to do with old madrasa and Sunday school books
Exercise books, Qaidahs, and beginner Qurans — sorted by what's useable, what's redistributable, and what needs burial.
For Masajid · 7 min readWhat mosques can do with decades of accumulated old Qurans
A practical guide for imams, trustees, and madrasa administrators clearing storerooms of old religious books.
Practical · 5 min readYour Quran got wet. What now?
A flood, a leaking roof, a spilled cup — what to do when a Mushaf is water-damaged, and when to keep vs. bury.
For parents · 4 min readMy child drew on the Quran. What do I do?
The ruling, the guilt, and the gentle practical path — for parents whose toddler has coloured or torn a Mushaf.
For shop staff & neighbours · 5 min readYou found a Quran. Now what?
For charity shop volunteers, house-clearers, and neighbours who've come across a Mushaf and want to handle it properly.
Practical · 5 min readMoving house? Don't take the old Qurans with you.
A move or a downsize is often the moment families finally deal with the boxes of accumulated religious books.
Rural & small-town UK · 5 min readNo mosque near you? You still have a clean route.
For Muslims in rural UK or small towns without a nearby masjid — a permissible way to deal with an old Quran by post.
For families · 6 min readHelping an elderly parent sort their old Qurans
A gentle guide for adult children supporting a housebound parent dealing with decades of accumulated Islamic books.
Practical · 4 min readWhat can you actually send us?
A clear guide to what qualifies as Islamic literature for burial — and what to do with the things that don't.
Behind the scenes · 5 min readWhat actually happens after you post your Quran to us?
A step-by-step look at storage, shrouding, and our twice-yearly pooled burial at a partnered UK Muslim cemetery.
For parents & teachers · 4 min readLoose Quran pages and verse worksheets: what to do with them
A torn-out page, a madrasa homework sheet, a calligraphy practice sheet — single sheets need the same care as a whole book.
Seasonal · 4 min readSpring-cleaning before Ramadan? Here's what to do with old Qurans
The pre-Ramadan clean-out always turns up old Qurans, worn prayer books, and loose pages. A quick guide to sorting each.
Seasonal · 4 min readOld Eid cards and Ramadan dua booklets: do they need burial?
A year's worth of cards and booklets pile up fast. How to tell which carry the name of Allah or Qur'anic verses.
Seasonal · 3 min readGot a spare Quran from Eid? Here's what to do with it
Grandparents, aunts, and the mosque all giving Qurans as gifts means most households end up with spares.
For masajid · 4 min readRamadan clear-out: dealing with a year's worth of old Qurans
Before Taraweeh crowds take over, it's the easiest window all year to finally clear the storeroom.