Allah Subhanahu says in the 29th Ayah (verse) of Surah Al-Fatir: “Indeed, those who recite the book of Allah and establish their Salah and spend out of what we have provided for them secretly and openly (in the path of Allah) hope for a type of business that will never bring loss.”
Below are some Ahadith al-Sharif regarding the merits of reciting Qur’an al-Karim:
“…Angels surround the group of people who gather in one of the houses of Allah Subhanahu (masajid), recite the Book of Allah Ta’ala, and study it. Sakeenah (peace) descends upon them, and the rahmah (mercy) of Allah Almighty envelops them. Allah Subhanahu mentions these people to His angels.”
Rasûlullâh Sallallâhu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: “He who learns the Holy Qur’an when he is young, the Holy Qur’an mixes into his flesh and blood.” (Bayhaqî, Shu`ab Al-Îmân)
“The most virtuous ibadah (deed) of my ummah (followers) is reciting the Holy Qur’an.”
“Whoever listens to one Ayah from the book of Allah Subhanahu (Al-Qur’an Al-Karim), rewards are written for him in multiple folds. And whoever reads one Ayah, it will be a nur (light) for him on the Day of Qiyamah (Judgment).”
“Just like how iron develops rust, the hearts, too, will develop rust.” His companions asked: ‘O, Prophet of Allah! What is the polish of hearts?’ Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) replied: ”Abundant remembrance of death and reciting the Holy Qur’an.”
A person of sound mind continues to do good deeds, dhikr and recites the Qur’an Al-Karim. Because people die in a state similar to how they lived.
Here is a story: A man who was not Allah conscious used to sell hashish (cannabis) for his livelihood. When he was about to die, people gathered in his house around his bed and reminded him to recite the Kalimah Tayyibah (La ilaha illallah…) but he kept on saying “One coin for a bunch” and he died in that state.
Therefore, some Awliyaullah (friends of Allah) related this
story to their disciples and advised them: “Recite the Kalimah Shahaadah abundantly so that you die reciting and confirming it. As you see, that man died saying the words he used to say when he was alive.” Thus a person dies upon the deed that he was mostly busy with in his life, and will be resurrected in the same way he died.
May Allah Subhanahu enable us to die on the path of the Ahl Al-Sunnah wal Jama’ah.