بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد
Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله , in his explanation to "Riyaadh al-Saaliheen", said: “The Sunnah before (beginning) the du`aa is to praise Allaah as has been mentioned in ‘al-Tahiyyaat’*, then after that to send the prayer upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, then (he should make) the du`aa. And this is how it should be done also when he is making the du`aa in Sujood (prostration), or at any other time; he should praise Allaah, send prayers upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and then supplicates to his Lord for whatever he wishes, and this is the first step for the du`aa being answered.”