maruf

Maruf, also transliterated as ma’ruf, is an Arabic term meaning “known,” “well-known,” or “recognized.” It is formed from the root meaning knowledge and is used in various contexts to indicate something acknowledged as proper, virtuous, or familiar. In Islamic usage, ma’ruf often denotes acts that are morally good or socially approved, as contrasted with munkar, which signifies wrongdoing or prohibited conduct. The concept is central to the ethical principle of amr bi’l-ma’ruf wa nahy ani’l-munkar, meaning “enjoining the good and forbidding the bad.”

In Islamic thought, ma’ruf encompasses behaviors such as honesty, generosity, justice, charity, and keeping promises. Its application is debated among scholars, who interpret what counts as ma’ruf within scriptural guidance and local custom. The term also appears in the Qur’an and prophetic traditions to describe actions that communities should uphold.

Linguistically, ma’ruf can also mean “well-known” or “familiar,” used to indicate something generally recognized or customary in everyday speech. This broader sense is common across Arabic-speaking communities and has been adopted into many Muslim-majority languages, including Urdu, Persian, Turkish, and Indonesian, where the word may carry nuances of virtue, habit, or notoriety depending on context.

Related concepts include marifa or ma‘rifa (gnosis or knowledge) and the modern ethical discussions surrounding amr bi’l-ma’ruf wa nahy ani’l-munkar. In summary, ma’ruf operates as a flexible category bridging honest social practice, religious obligation, and common usage in language.