Does failure to remove filth from the Mushaf, when one is able to remove it, constitute apostasy (riddah) as mentioned by Shaykh ‘Illish Al-Maliki, or is condemnation by the heart sufficient in this case, based on the hadith: "Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he is unable to do so, then with his tongue; if he is unable to do so, then with his heart—and that is the weakest of faith"?

Whoever finds filth on a Mushaf (definition) must remove it, otherwise their ruling is the same as that of the one who placed it there, as jurists have stipulated. Indeed, throwing the Mushaf into filth or smearing it with it is an act of apostasy, and so is leaving it in filth while being able to remove it, because "perseverance is like initiation." It must be removed even by one who is in a state of major ritual impurity (junub). As for one who is unable to remove it, such as a captive who is shackled, they are excused.