In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

Should you ask for the dunya or the hereafter first in supplication?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Aziz bin Abdillah bin Baaz may Allah have mercy on him

Question: Is it permissible to ask for the dunya before the aakhirah in one’s supplication?

Answer: I don’t know any problem with doing so; however the Sunnah is to start (supplicating) with the religion because it is more important. You (would) say: “O Allah, rectify the affairs of my religion before those of my worldly life,” just like in the authentic narration: “O Allah! Set aright my religious commitment that You have made a protection for me, and set aright my worldly affairs which you have made a means of my livelihood, and set aright my hereafter to which is my return [1].”  Thus, begin with that which is most important from the affairs of your religion and (then) your worldly matters first. Even if one starts with the worldly matters, there’s no harm (in doing so). If you say: “O Allah! Make easy for me (the attainment of) permissible provisions,” or “O Allah! Make it easy for me (to get) a good suitable job,” or “O Allah! Forgive me and have mercy upon me,” there’s no harm (in such). May Allah reward you with much goodness.

Translated by: Staff, Y.P

Source: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/9167

[1]. The dua mentioned is collected by Muslim (2720) with the following wording:

“Allaahumma aslih li deeni alladhi huwa ‘ismatu amri, wa aslih li dunyaaya allati fiha ma’aashi, wa aslih li aakhirati allati ilayha ma’aadi, waj’al al-hayaata ziyaadatan li fi kulli khayr, wa’l-mawta raahatan li min kulli sharr

(O Allaah, correct my religious commitment which is the foundation of my life, and correct my worldly affairs in which is my livelihood, and grant me good in the Hereafter to which is my return. Make my life a means of accumulating good, and make death a respite for me from all evil).”