The reward for reciting the Qur'an while ignorant of its meanings

Question:
The questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, we recite the Qur'an, but we do not know much of its meanings. Do we receive the reward for its recitation?

Answer:
You receive the reward to the extent of what you do with the Qur'an. To the extent of what you do with the Qur'an. So you recite the Qur'an, and in it are things that are apparent, which everyone knows. Things that are apparent, which everyone knows, the layperson and the scholar alike. Such as the mention of the Fire and the mention of Paradise.
And the prohibition of sins and the command to perform acts of obedience. Everyone knows these. The Qur'an is of different types: some of it is known by the common people, some by the scholars, some by those firmly grounded in knowledge, and some is known only by Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). The Qur'an. Everyone knows from it what Allah has granted them. They know from it what Allah has granted them knowledge of.
So when you recite the Qur'an and hear a warning, you know the warning, you know the Fire, and you know when you hear the urging to establish prayer and give zakah, you know this. When you hear the prohibition of sins, you know this. When you hear the command to perform acts of obedience, you know this. When you hear the mention of Paradise and the mention of the Fire, you know this. You seek refuge with Allah at a verse of mercy and seek refuge at a verse of punishment, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do.