Short answer
They are not found in the hadith collections. They are later compositions printed in popular books such as Panj Surah, often with huge rewards claimed for them that scholars say are fabricated. Words of praise with a sound meaning may be read as ordinary dua, but not with the claimed rewards and not as a sunnah. The authentic duas and Durood Ibrahim are better.
Reading a later dua whose meaning is sound is permitted as general dhikr. Believing or spreading the fabricated virtues attributed to the Prophet ﷺ is a sin. The Deobandi scholars advise avoiding wording that is doubtful in meaning, and some objected to phrases in Durood Taj.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Many Muslim homes in South Asia have a Panj Surah or similar book containing Dua Jameela, Dua Ganj ul Arsh, Durood Taj, Durood Lakhi and others. These books often add introductions such as "Jibril brought this dua" or "whoever reads it once gets the reward of a thousand hajj". None of these introductions are found with a sound chain in the books of hadith.
What scholars say:
- The texts: they are compositions of later centuries. Their wording is mostly praise of Allah or blessings on the Prophet ﷺ, which is good in itself.
- The rewards: the large promised rewards are fabricated. The Prophet ﷺ warned that whoever lies about him deliberately takes a seat in the Fire, and passing on such claims shares in that.
- Durood Taj: several Deobandi scholars advised against it because some phrases describe the Prophet ﷺ as the remover of plague, famine and illness, which can suggest powers that belong to Allah alone.
What to do instead. Read the duas the Prophet ﷺ taught, which are certain, and send salawat with Durood Ibrahim, the best form of durood. If you love one of these old duas, read only those parts whose meaning you understand and know to be sound, as your own dua, without the claimed rewards. Calling on Allah by His beautiful names is always good (7:180).
See are surah benefits online authentic, authentic duas with sources and the benefits of salawat.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-A'raaf 7:180
وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ فَٱدْعُوهُ بِهَا ۖ وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِىٓ أَسْمَٰٓئِهِۦ ۚ سَيُجْزَوْنَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١٨٠﴾
And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them. And leave [the company of] those who practice deviation concerning His names. They will be recompensed for what they have been doing.
Praising Allah by His names is good, without invented promises.
Sahih al-Bukhari 110
Sahih... من كذب علي متعمدا فليتبوأ مقعده من النار ...
"Whoever lies about me deliberately, let him take his seat in the Fire."
Attributing invented rewards to the Prophet ﷺ is a grave sin.
Where the ruling is recorded
- Fatawa Mahmudiyya, Section on duas and durood of later origin. Discusses Dua Ganj ul Arsh and Durood Taj and the fabricated virtues attached to them.
- Imdad al-Fatawa, Section on duas and wazifas. Advises against doubtful wording in later durood.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.