"In short, nothing is more beneficial for the heart than reading the Quran with contemplation and reflection.

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

"In short, nothing is more beneficial for the heart than reading the Quran with contemplation and reflection.

• Indeed, it encompasses all the stations of those traveling [to Allah], the states of those who act upon His commands, and the spiritual stages of those who truly know Him.
• It is what generates love, longing, fear, hope, turning back in repentance, reliance upon Allah, contentment with His decree, submission to His will, gratitude, patience, and all the other states through which the heart comes alive and attains its perfection.
• Likewise, it deters the soul from all blameworthy traits and actions that cause the corruption and ruin of the heart.
• If people only knew what lies in reading the Quran with contemplation, they would busy themselves with it to the exclusion of everything else!
• When a person reads it with reflection, and comes across a verse that they need for the healing of their heart, they should repeat it—even a hundred times, or for an entire night!
• Reading a single verse with reflection and understanding is better than completing a full recitation of the Quran without contemplation or comprehension!
• It is more beneficial for the heart, more conducive to acquiring true faith, and more effective in tasting the sweetness of the Quran.
• This was the habit of the pious predecessors (al-salaf); one of them would repeat a single verse until the morning.
• It is authentically reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he spent the night standing in prayer, repeating a single verse until the morning, which is the statement of the Almighty:{If You punish them, indeed they are Your servants; and if You forgive them, indeed You are the Almighty, the Wise} [Surah Al-Ma'idah: 118].
  

Thus, reading the Quran with reflection is the very foundation of the heart's righteousness."

(Zad al-Ma'ad, 1/187)