alFaruq

Al-Faruq is an Arabic honorific meaning "the distinguisher between truth and falsehood" or "the one who differentiates between right and wrong." It derives from the root farq, meaning to separate or distinguish. In Islamic usage, the title denotes a person regarded for keen discernment in religious and ethical matters. The epithet is most often linked with a historical figure, though its adoption as a name or honorific continues in Muslim communities today.

Al-Faruq is most closely associated with Umar ibn al-Khattab (c. 584–644 CE), the second caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate. In traditional Islamic sources, Umar is described as possessing strong judgment, justice, and piety, capable of distinguishing between what is permissible and impermissible and applying Islamic law with fairness. The Prophet Muhammad is said to have bestowed the title, and it appears in both Sunni and Shia literature as a recognized epithet of Umar. The epithet has entered broader usage as a symbol of discernment and righteous leadership.

Today, Al-Faruq is used as a given name and honorific in various Muslim communities. It is frequently transliterated as Al-Farooq (also spelled Al-Faruq) and appears in the names of institutions, publications, and individuals across regions including the Middle East, South Asia, and diaspora communities. The term remains a reference to discernment between truth and falsehood in Islamic historical memory.