Which is better: reading a daily portion of the Qur’an, or sufficing with reading Surat Al-Ikhlas three times, or combining both, and is it permissible to prefer one Surah over another?

It is better for a Muslim to maintain a daily portion of the Qur'an [wird] to complete the entire Mushaf. This is better than limiting oneself to reciting Surat al-Ikhlas three times, as that would lead to abandoning the rest of the Qur'anic surahs. Allah revealed the entire Qur'an for contemplation and remembrance. Allah the Almighty said: "A Book We have sent down to you, full of blessings, that they may ponder over its verses, and that those of understanding may remember."

Moreover, the notion that the reward for reciting Surat al-Ikhlas three times is equivalent to the reward for reciting the entire Qur'an is not agreed upon among scholars. The preference of some Qur'anic surahs over others is determined by the Sharia. A surah is considered superior if it has been explicitly stated as such in the Sharia, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said about Surat al-Fatiha: "It is the greatest surah in the Qur'an." The ease of reciting a surah does not mean that it is better than others.