4. Beginning with praise of Allah and sending blessings upon His Messenger (PBUH)

One ought to begin by praising Allah, Mighty and Majestic, and then send blessings upon His Messenger (PBUH). This is established in the hadith of Faḍālah ibn ʿUbayd, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:

“The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) heard a man supplicating during his prayer without glorifying Allah the Exalted or sending blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH). He said: ‘This man has been hasty.’ Then he called him and said: ‘When one of you supplicates, let him begin by glorifying his Lord and praising Him. Then let him send blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH). Then let him supplicate with whatever he wishes.’”

Thus, if one begins by praising Allah—especially with the verses of praise that appear at the beginnings of certain chapters of the Qur’an, which will be mentioned later—then sends blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH), and follows this with further praise in its various forms, the supplication is more likely to be answered.