<h3>Virtues of Reciting the Holy Qur'an</h3>

1 - Reading and reflecting over the Quran fulfils an Islamic duty. Prophet Mohammad (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) summarized this Religion (Islam) when he said:The Religion is sincerity (Naseeha)! So then Tameem ibn Aws (may Allah be pleased with him) said: We asked, To whom? He said: To Allah, HIS BOOK, His Messenger, the leaders of the people, and their common folk.The sincerity that is due to the Book of Allah includes its regular recitation, learning the rules of reciting it correctly and beautifully, learning its explanation, and the reasons for its revelation, affirming that it is the Truth, the perfect Speech of Allah, honoring it and defending it, abiding by the orders and prohibitions found in it, teaching it and calling to it. Thus by reading and pondering over the Quran, one fulfills an obligation and is rewarded for that. Upon fulfilling this obligation, the Quran then becomes a proof for him on the Day of Judgment! This takes us to the second benefit.
2 - The Quran will be a proof for us on the Day of Judgment. This is due to the Hadith of Prophet Mohammad (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam):And the Quran is a proof for you or against you.So on the Day of Judgment, the Qur'an will either be in your favor, or it will be a proof against you. Who could be saved from the terrors of that Day if Allahs own Speech is against him?!?! Think carefully, and consider your position with the Quran! Are you neglecting it, contradicting it, ignoring its orders and prohibitions, are you thinking deeply over it?! Will it be on your side on the Day of Judgment.?!
3 - The Quran will intercede for us on the Day of Judgment.Abu Umaamah (radiallaahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said:
"Recite the Qur'an as it will come on the Day of Judgement as an intercessor for those who used to memorise and recite it." [ Reported by Muslim]
Nawwaas bin Sam'aan (radiallaahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said: "The Qur'an and its people, those who used to act upon it in the world, will be brought on the Day of Judgement. However, Sooratul-Baqarah and Sooratul-Imraan will precede them and argue in favour of those who memorised and recited these soorah's (in this life)." [Reported by Muslim]
4 - Your status in this life will be raised.In Saheeh Muslim, there is this beautiful story, that shows how a man from the people of Jannah (Paradise), Umar ibn Al-Khattab, understood this principle.
Some men came to question him during his khilaafah (reign)about the leadership of Mekkah, they asked, Who do you use to govern Mekkah?
He said, Ibn Abzaa.
They asked, And who is Ibn Abzaa?
Umar replied, A freed slave from those we freed.
They remarked, You left a freed slave in charge of the people of the Valley (the noble tribes of the Quraysh)!?!? So he answered them, Verily he is a reader of the Book of Allah and is Knowledgeable about the obligations of the Muslims. Havent you heard the statement of your Messenger?Verily Allah raises some people by this Book and lowers others by it. [ Reported by Muslim]
5 - You will be from the best of the people.Uthman Ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) said that Prophet Mohammad (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said:The best of you are the ones who learn the Quran and teach it to others [Reported by Bukhari]
6 - There are ten rewards for each letter you recite from the Quran.Abdullaah bin Mas'ood (radiallaahu anhu) reported that the Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Whoever recites one letter from the Book of Allaah then he will receive a good reward, and every good deed is rewarded with ten times its like. I do not say that Alif Laam Meem is one word but Alif is one word, Laam is one word and Meem is one word." [This means it is equal to three letters and a person receives thirty rewards for reciting it. Reported by Tirmidhee]So try to recite as much verses of the Qur'an as you can.
7 Those who recite the Quran will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels.Aa`isha (radiallaahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said::Verily the one who recites the Quran beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, he will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses (because he doesn't know how to read it but is trying to), then he will have TWICE that reward. [ Reported by Bukhari and Muslim]So dedicate yourself to the Book of Allah, whether you are an Arab or not! The excuses have been eliminated and the pathway has been cleared for you to embrace the Book of Allah without holding back or offering excuses!
8 - Your position in Paradise is determined by the amount of Quran you memorize in your life!Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-Aas heard Prophet Mohammad (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) saying:It will be said to the companion of the Quran: Read and elevate (through the levels of the Paradise) and beautify your voice as you used to do when you were in life! For verily, your position in the Paradise will be at the last verse you recite!
9 - The Quran will lead you to Paradise!Prophet Mohammad (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said:The Quran is an intercessor, something given permission to intercede, and it is rightfully believed in. Whoever puts it in front of him, it will lead him to Paradise; whoever puts it behind him, it will steer him to the Hellfire.Thus, know that these nine benefits can only be attained by a sincere commitment to the Holy Qur'an, not by a persons mere statement, I love the Quran, its beautiful. Rather the heart must be sincerely attached to Allahs Book and the limbs and tongue will follow in this attachment.

Source: http://www.islamonline.com/cgi-bin/news_service/spot_full_story.asp?service_id=745

"Invite all to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; And consult with them in ways that are best and most gracious."[16:125]