Is reciting the Holy Qur’an a duty and obligatory, or is it an act of Sunnah?

Answer

Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.

Reciting the Holy Qur’an is a due. It is desired to recite a lot. Allah says: “And recite what has been revealed to you.” Al-Kahf: 27. The prophet also said: “Recite the Qur’ān, for on the day of resurrection it will come as an intercessor for those who recite it.” Therefore, it is stressed to recite the Qur’an and not to leave it. Allah says: “And the Messenger (Muhammad) will say: “O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Qur’ān (neither listened to it, nor acted on its laws and teachings). Al-Furqan: 30

Thus, not reciting the Qur’an is a sort of deserting it; rather, it is required to thoroughly recite it, think about the verses, and apply the rules of it, in addition to referring to it in all situations.