Is it best to start Dua with praise of Allah and then Durood Sharif?

Yes, it is true that it is best to start Dua (supplication) with the praise of Allah (Most High) and then Durood Sharif (prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ).

إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ، فَلْيَبْدَأْ بِتَمْجِيدِ رَبِّهِ جَلَّ وَعَزَّ، وَالثَّنَاءِ عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، ثُمَّ يَدْعُو بَعْدُ بِمَا شَاءَ

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ‘When one of you prays, let him begin with the Majesty and praise of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Then he should send prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ (Durood Sharif). Thereafter, he prays for whatever he wills.’ (Sunan Abi Dawood, 1481).

Similar Hadith were also narrated in Ahmad 23937, Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 710, Sahih Ibn Hibban 1960 and many other Hadith collections. Imam al-Tirmidhi narrated it (3477) and commented that it is a Hasan Sahih Hadith. In Mustadrak al-Hakim it is narrated (840) with Imam Hakim claiming it is Sahih, Imam al-Dhahabi agreed with him.

Although the context of the Hadith above is supplication within prayer, it is understood to be a general Sunnah when supplicating.

وَالْبُدَاءَةُ بِالثَّنَاءِ ثُمَّ بِالصَّلَاةِ سُنَّةُ الدُّعَاءِ. (الهداية في شرح بداية المبتدي)

And beginning with the praise (of Allah Most High) and then prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ (Durood Sharif) is a Sunnah of Dua. (Imam al-Marghinani, al-Hidaayah Sharh Bidayatu al-Mubtadi).

It is important to recognise that starting one’s supplication (Dua) with the praise of Allah (Most High) and then Durood Sharif (prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ) is recommended. It is not obligatory. Therefore, if one were to supplicate without this it is still valid. However, one should try to establish a norm whereby one does begin with the praise of Allah (Most High) and then Durood Sharif (prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ).

And Allah Most High Knows Best.

-Answered by Shaykh Noorud-deen Rashid (24.10.2022)

See also:
Can Dua change Qadr (divine decree)?

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