Arifbillah Hadhrat Aqdas Maulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahab (damat barkatuhum) writes,
"Qutub Alim Hadhrat Maulana Rashid Ahmed Gangohi (Rahmatullah
Alayhi) was once asked by someone if first Istighfar or Durood Shareef
should be recited. He answered, 'Do you first wash your dirty clothes or first apply 'Atr (perfume)?'
Therefore first should the soul be purified from the dirt of sins
through seeking forgiveness (Istighfar) and then the perfume of Durood
Shareef should be applied."
['Waliullah Bannay Walay 4 Amaal', page 25]
