Tariq


Tariq is an Arabic word and given name.

Etymology

The word is derived from the Arabic verb,, meaning "to strike", and into the agentive conjugated doer form,, meaning "striker". It became popular as a name after Tariq ibn Ziyad, a Muslim military leader who conquered Iberia in the Battle of Guadalete in 711 AD. It is also the name of a Quranic chapter.

In literature and placenames

Ṭariq is used in classical Arabic to refer to a visitor at night. Due to the heat of travel in the Arabian Peninsula, visitors would generally arrive at night.
The use of the word appears in several places including the Quran, where ṭāriq is used to refer to the brilliant star at night, because it comes out visiting at night, and this is the common understanding of the word nowadays due to the Qur'an.
It can also be found in many poems. For example, from the famous poets Imru' al-Qais and Jarir ibn Atiyah.
Gibraltar is the Spanish derivation of the Arabic name Jabal Aṭtāriq, meaning "Mountain of Tariq".

Usage

In the Balkans, Tarik is popular among Bosniaks in the former Yugoslav nations. This is one of the most popular names in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Given name

Tarek