Faruq

Faruq is a masculine given name of Arabic origin. It means “the one who distinguishes between right and wrong” or “the discerner.” The root from which it derives, f-r-q, conveys the idea of separating or distinguishing. The epithet al-Faruq, meaning “the distinguisher,” is an honorific associated with this name in Islamic tradition.

The name is widely used in Muslim-majority countries and among Muslim communities worldwide. It has several transliterations, including Farooq, Farook, Farouq, and Farruk, and it can appear as a given name or, with the nisba, as a surname such as al-Faruqi.

Historically, the best-known bearer of the epithet is Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate. He is traditionally described as al-Faruq by Prophet Muhammad for his discernment between truth and falsehood, a title that has persisted in Islamic historical and religious literature.

Contemporary or notable bearers of the name include Indian politicians Farooq Abdullah and Farooq Sheikh, as well as Ismail al-Faruqi, a Palestinian-American philosopher and religion professor. The surname form al-Faruqi is used by several families and scholars, reflecting the name’s broader cultural significance beyond a given name.

Variants and usage extend across different languages and cultures, with transliterations adapting to regional phonologies. Faruq and its spellings remain common in Arabic-speaking communities and in South Asia, the Middle East, and the global Muslim diaspora.