I am a Muslim living in a Western country. I saw a non-Muslim person tearing a copy of the Quran in my presence. I was filled with so much anger that I almost hit him and was inclined to do the same with the book he believes in. Is this permissible in Islamic law?

Muslims unanimously agree on the obligation to respect, preserve, and honor the Quran, as well as on the prohibition against its desecration. The act of desecrating or tearing a copy of the Quran (mushaf) is a religious, moral, and customary offense. Under contemporary international norms and standards, such actions are classified as hate crimes that provoke hostility and violence.

The inquirer and others should pursue legal avenues to condemn such an act; they must not respond in kind or with violence and insults. Every holy book that contains a person’s beliefs or mentions the names of Allah Almighty, those of His prophets, and other scriptures must be respected, and their desecration is therefore prohibited for this reason.

Responding as outlined in the question may negatively impact individuals who believe in the holy book you want to destroy and did not take part in the act of desecrating the Quran. Such actions would unjustly and unfairly target innocents, leading to significant negative repercussions on the image of Islam, the full extent of which is known only to Allah Almighty.