Is the reward for reading from the mushaf the same as the reward for reading from memory?

Question:
Is the degree of reward for the one who reads the Qur'an, whether by looking at the text or from memory, equal in reward, or not?

Answer:
The reward is not based on the manner of reading; the reward is based on one's focus on the Qur'an, humility in it, and reflection. If you read by looking at the text or from memory, you are in a great state of goodness, provided you intend the Face of Allah. However, the reward differs. Reading with reflection, understanding, humility, and striving for benefit is far better than ordinary reading.
Whether reading by looking at the text or from memory, the reader should focus on reflection, understanding, and sincerity to Allah in the reading, and intending to gain benefit. By doing so, he attains the great reward and the great benefit, whether he reads from the mushaf or from memory.

The presenter: So, the criterion is not whether the reader reads from memory or by looking at the text?

The Shaykh: Yes, the criterion is focusing on the reading, reflecting, benefiting from the reading, and caring for it, and that he reads as it should be, without mispronunciation or negligence. Yes.

The presenter: To the extent of his ability?

The Shaykh: To the extent of his ability [Al-Taghabun:16].

The presenter: May Allah reward you with good. So, the benefit that you emphasize, O Shaykh, which the reader of the Qur'an must benefit from, is what?

The Shaykh: He should focus on reflection. Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says: [Sad:29] And He says (Glorified and Exalted is He): [Muhammad:24] So I call upon every believer, male and female, to care for the reading and reflection. He should read with reflection and his heart present, reflecting on what he reads. When verses concerning Paradise pass him, he should ask Allah for Paradise and rejoice in this matter and reflect on it. And when verses concerning the Fire pass him, likewise, he should seek refuge in Allah from the Fire and fear it, and his heart should be filled with awe of it. He should reflect when the names of Allah pass him, magnifying Him, praising Him (Glorified and Exalted is He), and glorifying Him (Glorified and Exalted is He). When the stories pass him, he should take lessons from the stories, the stories of the prophets and those who came before, like this. He should care and reflect until he benefits.

The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.

The presenter: Acting upon what one knows from the Noble Qur'an, O Shaykh, does the reward depend on that or not?

The Shaykh: The reward is great if one acts, but it differs: if it is obligatory, he must act upon it; and if it is recommended, it is recommended for him to act upon it. For example, [Al-Baqarah:238] This is an obligatory fard; he must maintain it, and he must establish the prayer, performing it with tranquility, perfecting the prayer, and giving the zakah. This is among the most important obligations.
As for what is recommended, such as the remembrance of Allah: and glorify Him in the morning and in the evening [Al-Ahzab:41-42], he should strive; because this is recommended, not obligatory. So, his increasing in the remembrance of Allah and glorifying Him in the morning and evening is recommended, not obligatory, and the like of that. Allah says: and glorify Him in the morning and in the evening [Al-Ahzab: 41-42] And He says (Exalted and Majestic is He): [Al-Jumu'ah:10] All of this is on the basis of recommendation.
So, the conclusion is: reflection and understanding are required and prescribed, and then acting is prescribed and required. But if the matter is an obligation, it is obligatory for him, such as maintaining the obligatory prayer, establishing the prayer, giving the zakah, avoiding riba, and the like of that. And if the thing is recommended, such as increasing in the remembrance of Allah, doing the recommended is done. Yes.

The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.

The presenter: So, does the letter become ten good deeds if the person acts upon what he knows from the Noble Qur'an?

The Shaykh: No, even if he does not act. The reading, the reading: every letter is a good deed, and the good deed is ten times its like, for the reading. As for the action, it has another reward. The reading is recommended and a righteous deed, and the letter is a good deed, and the good deed is ten times its like. But if it is accompanied by action, it becomes another reward for the action. If the Muslim reads but does not reflect, he has this reward. But if he reflects, his reward is greater. And the action is obligatory for him in the obligations, and recommended in the recommendations, whether he reads or not.

The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.