When my father’s pain became severe, he abandoned prayer entirely. Is it permissible for me to dedicate the reward of voluntary prayers to my father after his death?

Question:
She says: My father used to pray, fast, and remember Allah frequently, and he attended gatherings of knowledge and jurisprudence. However, when he fell ill, he abandoned prayer. At the beginning of his illness, he used to pray, but when his illness intensified, he left it off. My mother always reminded him of prayer and encouraged him to perform it. His answer to her was to say, “I pray with the same lack of khushu’ (humility) that you have,” meaning that his heart was very preoccupied with what had befallen him. I often pray many voluntary prayers in addition to the obligatory ones, and I dedicate their reward to him. I also dedicate to him the reward of my recitation of the Qur’an. Does this deed reach the deceased? And is there any deed you direct us to, other than charity and supplication in every prayer? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
As for your father abandoning prayer while ill, that was an error and ignorance on his part. It was obligatory for him to pray according to his condition, based on the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) to the sick person: “Pray ” and based on the saying of Allah the Exalted: It was obligatory for him to pray according to his condition. Illness is not an excuse for abandoning prayer as long as his mind and his thinking remain intact; therefore, he does not abandon prayer in any state. However, perhaps what happened to him was a mistaken ijtihad (independent legal reasoning) on his part, and he did not abandon prayer intentionally. So we hope for his forgiveness from Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) in light of his ignorance in that matter.
As for praying on his behalf after his death, it does not suffice for him in any way, because prayer is a physical act in which representation is not permitted.
Likewise, reciting the Qur’an and dedicating its reward to the deceased is not supported by any evidence of permissibility. The better, or correct, course is for you to give charity on his behalf, seek forgiveness for him, and make good supplications for him. This is because charity, supplication, seeking forgiveness, Hajj, and 'Umrah, all of these, their rewards reach the deceased if Allah accepts them, due to the Sunnah (the Prophet's way) having come regarding these matters. Yes.