Tearing the Mus-haf

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Q 5: What is the legal ruling on a man who takes hold of a Mus-haf (Qur’an-book) and starts tearing it page by page despite being fully aware that it is a Mus-haf, and despite being warned by another man standing beside him that it was a Mus-haf? Moreover, what is the ruling on a man who extinguishes a cigarette on the Mus-haf?

A: By doing so, they are both judged to be disbelievers, for insulting and desecrating the Book of Allah (Exalted be He). Their behavior comes under the same ruling as the mockers of its authority. Allah, the Exalted, says (what means): Say: "Was it at Allâh (عز وجل), and His Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations) and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) that you were mocking?" Make no excuse; you disbelieved after you had believed. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.