Short answer
The Prophet ﷺ said the companion of the Quran will be told on the Day of Judgement to recite and rise, and his rank in Paradise will be at the last ayah he recites. The one skilled in the Quran will be with the noble angels. Memorising even part of it, such as the first ten ayat of al-Kahf, carries its own promised virtues.
Memorising the whole Quran is fard kifayah for the community and a great virtue for the individual. Every ayah you memorise also counts for your salah, and keeping it through revision is part of the reward.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
In authentic hadith:
- Recite and rise: "It will be said to the companion of the Quran: Recite and rise, and recite slowly as you used to in the world, for your place is at the last ayah you recite" (Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi). Scholars explain that "companion of the Quran" means the one who lived with it: memorised it, recited it and acted on it.
- With the angels: "The one skilled in the Quran is with the noble, righteous scribes" (Muslim).
- The best of people: "The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it" (Bukhari).
- Protection from the Dajjal for whoever memorises the first ten ayat of al-Kahf (Muslim).
A popular hadith says the parents of the one who learns the Quran and acts on it will be given a crown of light on the Day of Judgement. It is in Abu Dawud, but its chain is weak, so it should be quoted with care and not as a firm promise.
In this life: your salah gains variety and depth, you can lead prayer and taraweeh, and you carry Allah's words with you wherever you go. Allah says the Quran is clear ayat in the hearts of those given knowledge (29:49).
Sincerity is the condition for all of this: whoever learns the Quran to be praised has his reward in the praise. Start where you are: see how to memorise the Quran, what is a hafiz and the hifz planner.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Ankaboot 29:49
بَلْ هُوَ ءَايَٰتٌۢ بَيِّنَٰتٌۭ فِى صُدُورِ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ ۚ وَمَا يَجْحَدُ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ إِلَّا ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ ﴿٤٩﴾
Rather, the Qur'an is distinct verses [preserved] within the breasts of those who have been given knowledge. And none reject Our verses except the wrongdoers.
The Quran is preserved in the hearts of those who memorise it.
Sunan Abi Dawud 1464
Grading to be checked... يقال لصاحب القرآن اقرأ وارتق ورتل كما كنت ترتل في الدنيا ...
"It will be said to the companion of the Quran: Recite and rise, and recite slowly as you used to recite in the world, for your place is at the last ayah you recite."
The rank of the one who carries the Quran.
Sahih Muslim 798
Sahih... الماهر بالقرآن مع السفرة الكرام البررة ...
"The one skilled in the Quran is with the noble and righteous scribes."
The honour of those who master the Quran.
Sahih Muslim 809
Sahih... من حفظ عشر آيات من أول سورة الكهف عصم من الدجال ...
"Whoever memorises ten ayat from the beginning of Surah al-Kahf will be protected from the Dajjal."
Memorising even part of the Quran carries specific virtues.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Durr al-Mukhtar, Kitab al-Salah, section on recitation. Memorising the amount needed for salah is fard on each person, al-Fatiha and a surah wajib, and the whole Quran fard kifayah.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.