The Merit of Reciting the Qur’an from Memory

Answer: It has not become clear to me that there is any difference between the two, and the transmitted reports have come regarding the virtue of reciting the Qur’an in an unrestricted manner, without restricting it to being from the muṣḥaf or from memory.
It may be said: it has come regarding the merit of this Ummah something whose meaning is: “Their muṣḥafs are in their chests; water does not wash them away.” From this, it may be inferred that reciting from memory is superior. In addition to that, the Messenger (May Allah bless him and his family and grant them peace) and the Companions used to recite the Qur’an from memory, and the muṣḥafs did not appear until after some time; thus, in reciting from memory there is following the Prophet (May Allah bless him and his family and grant them peace) and the foremost Companions.
- And on the other side it may be argued as proof: that reciting from the muṣḥaf gathers the mind more fully, and is nearer to reflection and contemplation; so from this perspective it is superior.

Source: Min Thimār al-ʿIlm wa al-Ḥikmah vol.3