Wording
Aqd invitation wording: Milcha and Katb Al Kitab
Published Updated 5 min read
An Aqd invitation is short, formal and religious in tone, because it invites guests to the marriage contract itself. The contract is the heart of the wedding, and in the Gulf it often has its own day and its own card. Families call it the Aqd Qiran, the Milcha, Katb Al Kitab or the Nikah, depending on where they are from. Here is the wording line by line, with Milcha cards, WhatsApp messages and the duas families print at the foot of the card.
In this article
One ceremony, four names
- عقد القران (Aqd Qiran) — the formal Arabic name, used across the Gulf
- الملكة (Milcha, also written Milka or Malcha) — the Emirati and Gulf name for the contract and its gathering
- كتب الكتاب (Katb Al Kitab) — the Levantine and Egyptian name
- Nikah — the name most South Asian families in the UAE use (more Nikah and Walima wording in Nikah invitation messages)
Use the name your guests use. A card for both families can carry the Arabic name with the English one beneath it.
What goes on an Aqd invitation
| Line | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | A verse or "In the name of Allah" | Optional, but common |
| Host | The groom's or the bride's father | Sometimes both families |
| Couple | Khalid, to the daughter of Abdullah Al Kaabi | The bride is often named through her father |
| Time | Thursday, after Isha prayer | A prayer time instead of a clock time is normal |
| Place | The family home or majlis | Add the area and city |
| Closing | A dua or "Your presence completes our joy" | Short |
The classic Aqd invitation wording
﴿وَخَلَقْنَاكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا﴾ يتشرف سعيد بن أحمد المنصوري بدعوتكم لحضور عقد قران نجله خالد على كريمة عبدالله بن محمد الكعبي وذلك بمشيئة الله يوم الخميس 7 يناير 2027 بعد صلاة العشاء في منزل العائلة، الخوانيج، دبي
"And We created you in pairs" (An-Naba, 8) Saeed Ahmed Al Mansoori requests the honour of your presence at the Aqd of his son Khalid to the daughter of Abdullah Mohammed Al Kaabi Thursday, 7 January 2027, after Isha prayer The family home, Al Khawaneej, Dubai
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Abdullah Mohammed Al Kaabi is pleased to invite you to the marriage contract of his daughter Mariam to Khalid Saeed Al Mansoori Thursday, 7 January 2027, after Maghrib prayer
Milcha invitation wording
Emirati families usually say Milcha, and the Milcha gathering can be warmer than a formal Aqd: coffee, dates, family and sometimes a separate ladies' evening the same night.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم يسعدنا ويشرفنا دعوتكم لحضور ملكة خالد ومريم وذلك مساء يوم الخميس 7 يناير 2027 بعد صلاة المغرب مجلس العائلة، الخوانيج، دبي بحضوركم تكتمل فرحتنا
With joy, we invite you to the Milcha of Khalid & Mariam Thursday, 7 January 2027, after Maghrib prayer The family majlis, Al Khawaneej, Dubai
Short messages to send with the card
Because the Aqd list is small, the card is often sent one by one with a personal line.
Assalamu alaikum Uncle Hamad, we would be honoured to have you at Khalid's Aqd on Thursday after Isha. The card is attached.
My brother Khalid's Aqd is on Thursday 7 January after Isha, at the family home. It would mean a lot to have you there!
Timing around prayer
Many contracts are held after a prayer — Asr, Maghrib or Isha — when the men are already together. Writing "after Isha prayer" rather than a clock time is normal and correct; add an approximate time only if guests are coming from far away.
Prayer times shift through the year, so check the time for your date and city before you send. In winter, Maghrib in Dubai comes before six in the evening; in summer it is close to seven. If your Aqd is at a mosque, confirm the time with the mosque first and follow its arrangements.
Men's and ladies' Aqd gatherings
The contract is usually signed among the men, with the bride's consent taken separately, while the women of both families gather in another room or another house. Many families send two cards: one for the men's majlis, worded formally, and one for the ladies, often warmer and sent by the groom's or bride's mother.
With hearts full of joy Umm Khalid invites you to celebrate the Milcha of her son Khalid to Mariam Thursday, 7 January 2027, after Isha prayer For ladies
If you need wording for separate men's and ladies' wedding cards later on, see men's and ladies' wedding invitations.
Congratulations and thanks
Mabrook on the Milcha! May Allah complete it with goodness and bless you both.
Thank you for honouring us at Khalid and Mariam's Aqd. Your presence made the evening complete.
Verses and duas
﴿وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا﴾
بارك الله لكما وبارك عليكما وجمع بينكما في خير
Making the card
In the Invited studio, choose Aqd as the occasion to see the designs made for it. Type the details in Arabic and English, switch between them with one tap, and download the card as a picture to share on WhatsApp — or as a moving video for close family.
Ready when you are
Questions people ask
Is the Aqd the same as the wedding?
The Aqd is the marriage contract itself; the wedding (the zaffa and reception) is the celebration, sometimes weeks or months later. Many families send a separate card for each.
Who is invited to the Aqd?
Usually close family and friends, and the men who witness the contract. It is a smaller list than the wedding, so it is often sent personally to each guest.
What is a Milcha?
Milcha is the Emirati and Gulf name for the marriage contract and the gathering around it.
Should the bride's name be on an Aqd invitation?
Families differ. Many name the bride through her father ("the daughter of…"); others write both first names. Follow what your families are comfortable with.
Do I write a time or "after Isha"?
Either is correct. "After Isha prayer" is traditional; add an approximate time if guests travel far.
Can the Aqd and engagement be one card?
Yes, if both happen at the same gathering. See engagement invitation wording for a combined example.
