We recite Surat al-Ikhlas 342 times, then we dedicate this deed to our deceased on every Friday. What is your opinion of this deed?

The questioner:
Sister Zaynab says: We recite Surat al-Ikhlas three hundred and forty-two times. At that point, this number equals the number of verses in the Qur'an, which is one hundred and four, if we say that Surat al-Ikhlas is a third of the Qur'an. Then we dedicate this deed to our deceased on every Friday, and we hope that Allah will write for them reward and recompense for this recitation. What is your opinion of this deed?

The Shaykh:
This deed is not prescribed.

The questioner:
What is this?

The Shaykh:
It has two characteristics. The first characteristic is repeating Surat al-Fatihah by the number of verses in the Qur'an. Excuse me, Shaykh Salih, it is Surat al-Ikhlas.
Yes, reciting Surat al-Ikhlas by the number of verses in the Qur'an has no evidence for it. What the evidence indicates is that it is recited along with the two Mu'awwidhat (the two chapters of seeking refuge), three times after Fajr and after Maghrib, and once after the other obligatory prayers. This is what was reported. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . This does not mean that we recite it and repeat it until it equals the number of verses in the Qur'an. This is an act of excessive effort for which Allah has not sent down any authority. If the one who does this recited the Qur'an, yes, if he recited the entire Qur'an, including Surat al-Ikhlas, he would obtain the reward of reciting the Qur'an, with every letter being a good deed and a good deed being ten times its value. He would also obtain the virtue of reciting Surat al-Ikhlas.
As for the second characteristic, which is dedicating the reward of recitation to the deceased, there is no evidence establishing this. What has no evidence for it is not permissible to do. Allah (Mighty and Majestic) has explained to us, through the tongue of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), what deeds are dedicated to the deceased.
Charity on behalf of the deceased, supplication for the deceased, seeking forgiveness for them, performing Hajj on behalf of the deceased, and performing 'Umrah on behalf of the deceased. All of these are deeds for which evidence has been reported that they are dedicated, and their reward is dedicated to the deceased. What has no evidence for it, if there is no evidence for it, we do not do it, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):