Social obligations are a key pillar of Sudanese life, and knowing what to say —and when — can sometimes be challenging. As a Muslim-majority country, many Sudanese expressions and greetings are rooted in Islamic tradition.
The Sudanist has put together a guide on what to say and when, helping you navigate important social moments, from weddings and births to funerals, as well as holidays such as Eid, New Year, and more.
عزاء AZAA’ / بكاء BIKAA
CONDOLENCES / FUNERAL SERVICE
Al baraka fik البركه فيك (male/female);
al baraka fikum البركة فيكم (two or more people)
Meaning: May the blessings remain within you
Response: Al baraka fi al jame’e البركة في الجميع
Meaning: May the blessings remain with all of us
It signifies that goodness and blessings continue through the living survivors after their loss, or that the legacy of the departed lives on through the righteousness of their successors. The intent is to seek God’s grace, asking Him to bless the lives of those who remain and to grant them patience.
You can also say:
Allah yerhamhu wa yeghferleh الله يرحمه و يغفرله (male);
Allah yerhamha wa yeghferleha الله يرحمها و يغفرلها (female);
Allah yerhamhum wa yeghferlehum الله يرحمهم و يغفرلهم (two or more people)
Meaning: May Allah forgive and have mercy on the deceased
Response: Ameen امين
Rabana yesabirak wa yegawik ربنا يصبِّرَكَ ويقويك (male);
rabana yesabirik wa yegawiki ربنا يصبِّرِك و يقويك (female);
rabana yesabirkum wa yegawikum ربنا يصبركم ويقويكم (two or more people)
Meaning: May God give you strength and patience
Response:
Ameen امين
Alhamdulillah ‘ala kuli hal الحمدلله على كل حال (Thank/Praise Allah in every state or circumstance)
Ahsan Allah ‘azaakum احسن الله عزاكم /A’zam Allah ajrakum عظم الله أجركم
Meaning: May Allah reward you greatly and multiply your blessings for your patience in this calamity.
Response:
Ahsan Allah ilaykum أحسن الله إليكم (May Allah reward/bless you for your comfort)
Shakar Allah Sa’ykum شكر الله سعيكم (Thank you for coming and for your support/May Allah reward your effort in being here)
Jazakum Allah khayran جزاكم الله خيراً (Thank you and may Allah bless/reward you abundantly)
مناسبات العرس MUNASABAT AL ‘ERIS / (الزواج) العرس AL ‘ERIS
MARRIAGE AND WEDDING OCCASIONS
Mabrook is the most common way to say “Congratulations” in Sudan and across the Arab region. The word is deeply rooted in the theme ofbaraka (blessing), with its core meaning being “Blessed.” It stems from the linguistic root B-R-K (برك), which relates to divine favour and grace. So, you are essentially saying, “May this occasion be blessed for you.”
Mabrook مبروك / Alf mabrook الف مبروك
Response: Allah yebarik fik الله يبارك فيك (male/female);
Allah yebarik fikum الله يبارك فيكم (two or more people)
In addition to “mabrook”, you can say:
Rabana yes’edak wa yehanik ربنا يسعِدَك و يهنيك (groom);
rabana yes’edik wa yehanik ربنا يسعِدِك و يهنيك (bride);
rabana yes’edkum wa yehanikum ربنا يسعِدكم و يهنيكم (bride and groom together);
rabana yes’edhum wa yehanihum ربنا يسعِدهم و يهنيهم (the couple’s family and friends)
Meaning: May God make you happy and grant you bliss.
Response: Ameen امين and also thank them for their well wishes.
You can also say:
Bayt mal wa ‘eyal بيت مال و عيال
Meaning: “A house of wealth and children.” It represents the two pillars of a “blessed” life in traditional society: financial security and family continuity.
Response: Ameen امين and also thank them for their well wishes.
In addition, you can say:
Al ‘uqba lik العُقبى لك / ‘Uqbalak عقباَلك (male);
Al ‘uqba lik العُقبى لك / ‘Uqbalik عقباِلك (female);
Al ‘uqba likum العُقبى لكم / ‘Uqbalkum عقبالكم (when directly wishing two or more people);
Al ‘uqba li [name] العُقبى لي [اسم] / ‘Uqbal [name] عقبال [اسم] (when directing wishes to someone’s loved one with/without their name – children, siblings, friends)
Meaning: “May it be your turn next,” “wishing you the same soon,” or “may the same good fortune come to you.” It is typically said to congratulate someone while wishing them the same joy in their own life.
Response: Ameen امين and also thank them for their well wishes.
At any wedding occasion prior to the official ceremony — such as an engagement, Sadd Al Mal, or even Al ‘Agid (when the signing of the marriage contract takes place long before the wedding ceremony) — it is customary to say “mabrook” (مبروك), and offer a deeper blessing for the couple’s future with the following:
Rabana yetimim lik ‘ala khair ربنا يتمم لك على خير (bride/groom);
rabana yetimimlakum ‘ala khair ربنا يتمم لكم على خير (bride and groom together)
rabana yetimimlahum ‘ala khair ربنا يتمم لهم على خير (the couple’s family and friends)
Meaning: “May God complete it for you with goodness.” This phrase is used specifically to acknowledges that while an engagement or a contract has happened, the final “union” or “goal” is still ahead. You say this to wish that the rest of the journey to the wedding night goes smoothly and without obstacles.
Response: Ameen امين and also thank them for their well wishes.
الولادة AL WILADA
BIRTH AND BABY CONGRATULATIONS
Mabrook مبروك /Alf mabrook الف مبروك
Response: Allah yebarik fik الله يبارك فيك (male/female);
Allah yebarik fikum الله يبارك فيكم (two or more people)
In addition to “mabrook”, you can say:
Hamdellah ‘ala al salama حمدالله على السلامة
Hamdellah ‘ala salamtkum حمدالله على السلامتكم
Meaning: “Thank Allah for your safe delivery”/Glad you and the baby are safe”
A warm phrase expressing relief that the mother and the baby are safe and well after birth.
Response:
Allah yesalimak الله يسلمَك (male);
Allah yesalimik الله يسلمِك (female);
Allah yesalimkum الله يسلمكم (two or more people)
Meaning: “May God keep you safe as well”
It carries a sense of gratitude and goodwill, wishing safety and well-being in return.
You can also say:
Yitraba fi 3izakum يتربى في عزكم (baby boy);
Titraba fi 3izakum تتربى في عزكم (baby girl);
Yitrabu fi 3izakum يتربو في عزكم (two or more babies)
Meaning: “May the child be raised in your prosperity and care”
Response: Ameen امين, and also thank them for their well wishes.
الأعياد Al A’YAD
RAMADAN, EID AL FITR, AND EID AL ADHA
RAMADAN
Ramadan Kareem رمضان كريم
Meaning: “Blessed Ramadan”, focuses on blessing and well-wishing
Response: Allahu Akram الله اكرم
Ramadan Mubarak رمضان مبارك
Meaning: “Generous Ramadan”, suggests that Ramadan is full of generosity, giving, and blessings coming from Allah
Response: ‘Alayna wa ‘alik علينا و عليك; ‘Alayna wa ‘alikum علينا و عليكم
In addition, you can say:
Taqabal Allah/Rabana yitqabal mina wa minkum salih al ‘amal wa seyamkum wa qiyamkum
تقبل الله منا ومنكم صالح الأعمال، وصيامكم وقيامكم
Meaning: May Allah accept from us and from you (our/your) righteous deeds, fasting, and night prayers (Qiyam).
Response: Ameen امين, jama’n جمعاً ان شاء الله and also thank them for their well wishes.
EID AL FITR AND EID AL ADHA
Eid Mubarak عيد مبارك
In addition, you can say:
Al gabla ‘ala amanik القابلة على أمانيك
Meaning: “May the coming days bring you what you wish for”
Response: Ameen امين, jama’n جمعاً ان شاء الله
You can also say:
Kul sana wa inta tayib كل سنة وانتَ طيب (male);
kul sana wa inti tayba كل سنة وانتِ طيبة (female);
kul sana wa intu taybin كل سنة وانتو طيبين (two or more people)
Meaning: “Wishing you well every year” or “many happy returns”
In addition, you can say:
Yina’d ‘alaykum bi al seha wa al ’afyah wa rabana yehagig al amani
ينعاد عليك بالصحة والعافية يارب وربنا يحقق الاماني ان شاء الله
Meaning: “May it return to you with health and well-being, and may God grant your wishes, God willing”
Response: Ameen امين, jama’n جمعاً ان شاء الله and also thank them for their well wishes.
NEW YEAR, ISLAMIC NEW YEAR, SUDAN INDEPENDENCE DAY AND BIRTHDAYS
Kul sana wa inta tayib كل سنة وانتَ طيب (male);
kul sana wa inti tayba كل سنة وانتِ طيبة (female);
kul sana wa intu taybin كل سنة وانتو طيبين (two or more people)
Meaning: “Wishing you well every year” or “many happy returns”
In addition, you can say:
Yina’d ‘alaykum bi al seha wa al ’afyah wa rabana yehagig al amani
ينعاد عليك بالصحة والعافية يارب وربنا يحقق الاماني ان شاء الله
Meaning: “May it return to you with health and well-being, and may God grant your wishes, God willing”
Response: Ameen امين, jama’n جمعاً ان شاء الله and also thank them for their well wishes.
