Religion is deeply personal. Sacred texts such as the Quran command the highest respect for a wide swath of human beings. But the unexpected can sometimes throw us into confusion, emotional responses and public vilification. A viral new post discussed recently said a Muslim man found a Quran on the ground, kissed it, then tossed it away after recognizing pork was on it. The post rapidly received strong responses online, a few described his behavior as disrespectful and others demanded understanding. This article considers the nuances of such encounters, the need to think in a larger context and how much we all need to show compassion with regard to faith.
What Happened?
The post reports a Muslim man found a Quran on the ground. He lifted it up, said “Allah Hu Akbar” and kissed the book, a gesture of devotion. But he noticed that pork had been laid on the Quran. He allegedly threw the book away in shock or disgust. The post called this “two big crimes in seconds” and stirred debate and outrage. As easy as the situation appears, it’s a question: Is the man even trying to show respect? Did he panic when he opened his eyes to pork? Was he acting as an emotional and disrespectful jerk? Without ever knowing his entire purpose, it’s difficult to judge fairly.
A Muslim man picked up a Quran from the ground...said Allah Hu Akbar and kissed the book.
— Incognito (@Incognito_qfs) January 19, 2026
He then realized there was Pork on the book and then threw away the Holy Quran.
Now this man is definitely not going to Heaven....he kissed Pork and then threw away the Quran...two big… pic.twitter.com/7bKkQVkaZn
Faith and Reverence
The Quran is the word of God, and must be treated very carefully by Muslims. “Disrespect is touching it with dirty hands, laying it down, or treating it as a disposable tool. Pork, however, is technically prohibited by Islam. For many believers, it would be extremely unsettling to see pork in the Quran. The man’s first instinct in this situation to grab and kiss the Quran is one of reverent admiration. His second action tossing it away could be a response to shock, or fear. He may not have known how to react at that moment. That doesn’t absolve the act, but it does add context.
The Role of Emotion
When our beliefs are questioned or when we witness something offensive we often emotionally react. Panic can lead them to act without thinking. The act of tossing the Quran may not have been intended, it might have been an instinctive act of distress. That is why it’s so important to fully understand everything before passing judgment. Many of the posts on social media do not contain the required context. They depict one moment, one viewpoint and one opinion. But in real life, things are much more complex.
The Danger of Public Shaming
Calling a person a criminal or saying they won’t go to heaven based on a moment is severe punishment. Faith imparts kindness, forgiveness and mutual understanding. Public shaming cuts deep and may not correspond with the actual values of the faith. Instead of attacking the man, it may be better to say: Why did this happen? Was it a mistake? Can we learn from it? And it's these questions that bring about growth, not division.
Respecting Sacred Texts
Protecting and respecting sacred books is part of a great cause. And if someone sees the Quran on the ground, they ought to treat it with care. You report anything that appears to have been defiled, or you clean it respectfully. It’s not the right answer to throw it away even in shock. But education and awareness can prevent such things.
The Quran case and the incident involving pork is indicative of how sensitive faith can be and how quickly feeling can replace fact. And, though the man’s actions appear wrong, they are part of a moment of confusion and anguish. For a judge to judge, first he must try to learn to understand. Religion isn’t really rules, it is about caring, dignity and making sure it learns from mistakes. Now let’s use this time to reflect, not to condemn. Let’s teach respect, not shame. And let’s not forget true faith entails forgiveness while feeling emotions.
