Ta'aruf
/təˈɑː.rʊf/noun
A process of getting acquainted, especially an intentional introduction or courtship conducted according to Islamic cultural or religious values.
Did you know?The term comes from Qur'an 49:13, where humanity is described as created into peoples and tribes “so that you may know one another.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*ʕ-r-f
“To know, recognize, or become acquainted with”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
ʿarafa
“He knew or recognized”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
taʿāruf
“Mutual knowing, becoming acquainted with one another”
7th Century
Qur'anic Arabic
li-taʿārafū
“So that you may know one another, from Qur'an 49:13”
20th Century
Indonesian/Malay
ta'aruf
“An intentional introduction or Islamic courtship process”
Modern English
English
ta'aruf
“A culturally or religiously guided process of getting acquainted, often for marriage”