To begin with, learning and memorizing the Qur’an is the best action a Muslim can do. The one who learns and teaches the Qur’an is considered the best of all Muslims as reported in the hadith that reads: “The best amongst you is the one who learns the Qur’an and teaches it to others.” In fact, memorizing and learning the Qur’an brings the best of this life and the Hereafter. In this world, the person will be spiritually rich and lead a life of tranquility and complete happiness. In the Hereafter, the person will attain Jannah and enjoy the pleasure of Allah and His protection. There are many benefits and rewards for memorizing and learning the Qur’an, including leading a successful life, having a pure soul, being close to Allah, and enjoying His pleasure in this life and in the Hereafter.
Tackling this issue in detail is the fatwa of Sheikh Muhammad Saleh Al-Munajjid, a prominent Saudi scholar and lecturer:
“Whoever memorizes the Qur’an and acts upon it, will be rewarded and honored greatly by Allah. He will have a highly elevated status in Paradise that suits the honor of the Qur’an itself. `Abdullah ibn `Amr reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “(On the Day of Judgment,) it will be said to the one who has learned the Qur’an: ‘Read (the Qur’an) and occupy your high degrees. Recite as you used to recite in the world, for your position (in Paradise) will be (determined) by the last verse that you recite.’”
In another hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The one who knows more Qur’an should lead people in prayer…” meaning the one who has memorized the most. Also, the differentiation between degrees in Paradise will depend on the amount of Qur’an that had been memorized in this world, not on how much one recites on that day, as some people believe. It is important to note that this is for the person who memorizes the Qur’an for the sake of Allah, not for worldly gains.
Concerning the status of the one who memorizes the Qur’an, `A’ishah narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The one who recites Qur’an while being proficient in it (that is, he knows its rules of recitation because he has already memorized it) will be the companion of the righteous honorable scribes (of Angels). The one who recites it while finding it difficult to recite (because he has not memorized it but he tries his best to recite correctly), will have two rewards.”
It is easy for the one who has memorized the Qur’an to perform Qiyam Al-Layl(Night Vigil Prayer). Moreover, the Qur’an will intercede for him on the Day of Resurrection and ask Allah to grant him forgiveness. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Fasting and the Qur’an will intercede for a person on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say, ‘O Lord, I deprived him of food and desires during the daytime, so let me intercede for him.’ The Qur’an will say, ‘O Lord, I deprived him of sleep at night, so let me intercede for him.’ Then, their intercession for him will be accepted.””