Is it forbidden or reprehensible to tread on a newspaper containing articles written in Arabic, on the grounds that Arabic is the language of the Qur'an, and does this statement have any basis in religion?

If newspapers are devoid of Qur'anic verses, Prophetic traditions (hadiths), and the names of prophets, then there is no harm in treating them without reverence. Some scholars, like the Malikis, hold that letters possess sanctity even if they do not contain revered words. Others extend this sanctity to Arabic letters or anything that contains one of the names of Allah. Still others believe in the sanctity of letters absolutely, whether written in Arabic or any other language. Although we do not favor the Maliki view on this specific issue, we consider it more prudent to avoid treating letters without reverence altogether, based on the Prophet's (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saying: "Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt."