What do I say to congratulate a newly married couple?
The sunnah way to congratulate a newly married couple is to say "Barakallahu lakuma wa baraka 'alaykuma wa jama'a baynakuma fi khayr". It means "May Allah bless you both, shower His blessings on you, and bring you together in goodness." A simple "Barakallahu lakum" or "Mabrook" is also fine.
The dua the Prophet ﷺ taught
When the Prophet ﷺ congratulated someone on getting married, he would say: "Barakallahu laka, wa baraka 'alayka, wa jama'a baynakuma fi khayr" (Sunan Abi Dawud 2130, Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1091). The words are a prayer, not just a polite phrase. You are asking Allah to put barakah, a lasting blessing, into the marriage itself.
The grammar changes a little depending on who you speak to:
- To the groom: "Barakallahu laka wa baraka 'alayka wa jama'a baynakuma fi khayr."
- To the bride: "Barakallahu laki wa baraka 'alayki wa jama'a baynakuma fi khayr."
- To both together: "Barakallahu lakuma wa baraka 'alaykuma wa jama'a baynakuma fi khayr."
If the full sentence feels long at first, "Barakallahu lakuma" (May Allah bless you both) already carries the heart of it.
Other short phrases you will hear
- Mabrook (or Alf mabrook, "a thousand congratulations"): the everyday Arabic way to say congratulations.
- Barakallahu feekum: "May Allah bless you all", good for the couple and their families.
- In English: "Congratulations, may Allah bless your marriage and fill your home with love and mercy." This is completely fine, especially with non-Arabic speakers.
When the Prophet ﷺ heard that 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf had married, he said "Barakallahu laka" and told him to hold a wedding meal, even with one sheep (Sahih al-Bukhari 5155). So a short blessing plus encouragement is exactly the sunnah spirit.
What about the old "sons and prosperity" wish?
Before Islam, Arabs congratulated grooms with a wish for harmony and sons. Early Muslims replaced it with the Prophet's dua, because it asks for blessing for the whole marriage, not only for male children. You don't need to worry about this in English; just avoid wishes that sound like the couple's worth depends on having boys.
Writing it in a card or message
A wedding card can say: "Barakallahu lakuma wa baraka 'alaykuma wa jama'a baynakuma fi khayr. May Allah fill your home with sakinah, love and mercy." Adding Quran 30:21 is a lovely touch. If you are going to the celebration, see Can I still dance at weddings as a Muslim? If you're the one planning, see Is it okay to have a big expensive wedding as a Muslim?
- The sunnah phrase is "Barakallahu lakuma wa baraka 'alaykuma wa jama'a baynakuma fi khayr".
- "Barakallahu lakuma" or "Mabrook" are short, correct alternatives.
- Saying it in English with a sincere dua is perfectly fine.
- Focus on blessing for the marriage, not on wishes about the children's gender.
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