What is the ruling on reading the Qur'an, pondering it, acting upon it, and seeking healing through it? Is a person punished for abandoning it? And if its recitation is a Sunnah, how can one be punished for not reading it?

Allah Almighty has urged us to recite His Book, ponder over it, act upon it, and seek healing through it. He says: "Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allah and establish prayer and spend [in His cause] out of what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, hope for a transaction that will never perish That He may give them in full their reward and increase for them of His bounty. Indeed, He is Forgiving and Appreciative." And He says: "A Book which We have sent down to you, full of blessings, that they may ponder over its verses, and that those of understanding may remember." And He says: "And We send down from the Qur'an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe."

The Prophet, peace be upon him, also said: "Recite the Qur'an, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection as an intercessor for its companions." Whoever abandons reading the Qur'an, pondering over it, and seeking healing from it, has deprived himself of much good. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah will have a good deed, and a good deed is multiplied tenfold. I do not say that 'Alif-Lam-Mim' is one letter, but 'Alif' is a letter, 'Lam' is a letter, and 'Mim' is a letter."

Reciting the Qur'an is better than glorifying Allah (Tasbih) and proclaiming His oneness (Tahlil). Whoever completely turns away from the Qur'an and does not act upon what is in it deserves punishment.