Dua for newlyweds and the wedding night: what the Sunnah teaches
The Sunnah gives us beautiful words to say to a newly married couple, and duas for the husband and wife at the start of married life. This guide lists them with their meanings, so you can recite them with understanding.
What to say to the couple
بَارَكَ اللَّهُ لَكَ وَبَارَكَ عَلَيْكَ وَجَمَعَ بَيْنَكُمَا فِي خَيْرٍ
Barakallahu laka wa baraka 'alayka wa jama'a baynakuma fi khayr
May Allah bless you, bless your marriage and unite you both in goodness.
Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi
Muslims commonly say this at the nikah or walima. You can also say "Barakallahu lakuma" (to a couple) in short. See nikah mubarak meaning and wishes.
A dua for the husband when meeting his wife
The Prophet ﷺ taught that when a man marries a woman, he should hold her forehead, mention the name of Allah and ask for blessing, saying:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَهَا وَخَيْرَ مَا جَبَلْتَهَا عَلَيْهِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَشَرِّ مَا جَبَلْتَهَا عَلَيْهِ
Allahumma inni as'aluka khayraha wa khayra ma jabaltaha 'alayh, wa a'udhu bika min sharriha wa sharri ma jabaltaha 'alayh
O Allah, I ask You for the good in her and the good You have created her upon, and I seek refuge in You from the evil in her and the evil You have created her upon.
Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah. Scholars note this is also made by the wife for her husband in the same meaning.
Dua before intimacy
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ اللَّهُمَّ جَنِّبْنَا الشَّيْطَانَ وَجَنِّبِ الشَّيْطَانَ مَا رَزَقْتَنَا
Bismillah, Allahumma jannibna ash-shaytan wa jannib ash-shaytana ma razaqtana
In the name of Allah. O Allah, keep Shaytan away from us and keep Shaytan away from what You grant us.
Bukhari, Muslim
Starting married life well
- Pray two rak'ah together if you wish; this is mentioned in some reports from the Companions.
- Be kind, patient and honest with each other as you learn one another.
- Seek knowledge about rights and responsibilities.
- Keep your walima simple. See what is walima.
Zawaj is a Muslim marriage app built around nikah, with written proposals instead of swiping and a Chaperone/Wali feature so family can be involved. It is free to join on iOS and Android.
Frequently asked questions
What do you say to a newly married couple?
"Barakallahu laka wa baraka alayka wa jama'a baynakuma fi khayr" is the dua taught by the Prophet ﷺ.
Is it a sunnah to pray together on the wedding night?
Some reports mention praying two rak'ah together. Scholars differ on how strong they are, but it is a recommended practice for many.
Do I need to know Arabic?
No. Make dua in any language, but the Arabic reflects the words handed down to us.
Keep reading
More reading: dua for a happy marriage, what is nikah and what is walima.