Using newspapers as eating mats and spreads

Reference: al-Muntaqaa min Fataawa Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan v2 p299 no.266

Question: What is the ruling regarding eating and drinking from daily newspapers and [in particular] those who use them as [eating] mats and spreads for their food [considering] there are Qur.aanic verses and noble ahaadeeth on them?

Response: If you find on a newspaper anything from the verses [of the Qur.aan] or from the Names [and Attributes] of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, then remove them from it [the newspaper] and burn it, bury it or [simply] place it in a clean and elevated place, then use the newspaper. And if the newspaper does not have any [Qur.aanic] verses or ahaadeeth or [any] mention of [the Names and Attributes of] Allaah ﷻ within it, then there is no prohibition in using it, ripping it up and disposing of it or eating from it.


Translation originally published on 8 June, 2006.

Graduate of the Islaamic University of Madeenah, having completed the Arabic Language programme at the Institute of Arabic Language before progressing to the Faculty of Sharee'ah, from which he graduated in 2004.

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