It is reported that ʿUmar b. Al-Khattāb – Allah be pleased with him – said:

Do not be fooled by one who recites the Qurān. His recitation is but speech – but look to those who act according to it.

Al-Khatīb, Iqtidā` Al-‘Ilm Al-‘Amal no. 109

It is reported from Ayyūb Al-Sakhtiyānī [d130H] that he said:

There is no filth filthier than the sinful (fājir) reciter of the Qurān.

Al-Khatīb, Iqtidā` Al-‘Ilm Al-‘Amal no. 114

It is reported from Al-Fudayl (b. ʿAyyāḍ) that he said:

The Qurān was sent down to be acted upon but people have taken just reciting it as enough of a deed. He was asked, “How is it acted upon?” He replied, “They should treat as halāl what it makes halāl and treat as harām what it makes harām, they should take on its commandments and stay away from what it forbids, and they should stop to ponder its amazing knowledge and wisdom.”

Al-Khatīb, Iqtidā` Al-‘Ilm Al-‘Amal no. 116