Is the Basmala obligatory when reciting Surat Al-Ikhlas a thousand times?

It is recommended to recite the Basmalah at the beginning of a Surah when repeating it, as the Surah is considered to be starting anew then. It must be noted that worshipping by reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas a specific number of times has not been mentioned in the texts of Sharia and is considered an innovation in religion.