In the Holy Quran
The name Al-Wali is mentioned multiple times in the Quran, specifically appearing twice with the definite article “Al”:
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Surah Ash-Shura (42:9):
- “Or have they taken protectors other than Him? But Allah is the Protector, and He gives life to the dead, and He is over all things competent.”
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Surah Ash-Shura (42:28):
- “And He is the One who sends down the rain after they have despaired and spreads His mercy. And He is the Protector, the Praiseworthy.”
In the Prophetic Tradition
From Zayd ibn Arqam, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
- “O Allah, grant my soul its piety and purify it; You are the best of those who purify it. You are its Protector and its Master.”
Scholars’ Opinions on Its Meaning
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Al-Khattabi stated: “Al-Wali is also the one who is in charge of matters, such as the guardian of an orphan or the guardian of a woman in marriage. Its root is from ‘wali’, which means closeness.”
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Abu Ishaq Al-Zajjaj explained: “The Wali is a derivative of ‘walaya’, meaning supporter. Allah says: ‘Allah is the Wali of those who believe. He brings them out from darkness into light.’ (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:257). He is their Wali by supporting and guiding them, just as a guardian supports a child. He also takes care of their rewards and recompense on the Day of Judgment.”
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Al-Tabari explained the meaning of “Allah is the Wali of those who believe” as: “He is their helper and supporter, taking care of them with His assistance and guidance.”
The Difference Between Wali and Mawla
Abu Hilal Al-Askari stated:
- “The Wali signifies a helper or supporter. For example, ‘Allah is the Wali of the believers’ means He is their supporter, while ‘the believer is the Wali of Allah’ means he is helped by Allah’s victory.”
He also explained:
- “It can also mean that ‘the believer is a Wali of Allah’ in the sense that he supports His friends and His religion. It is also permissible to say: ‘Allah is the Wali of the believers’ in the sense that He oversees their protection and guardianship, similar to a guardian overseeing a child’s affairs.”
Additional Definitions
The Wali can have different meanings, including:
- Wali of a Muslim: One who is obligated to uphold his rights when he is in need.
- Wali of the woman: The one responsible for her affairs.
- Wali of the murdered: The one most entitled to claim retribution for his blood.
The origin of the term “Wali” is to signify the second after the first without separation, akin to saying “this follows that.” “Allah has made him a Wali” means He oversees his affairs without entrusting them to others, while “he entrusted his affairs to him” means he has placed them in his hands.
The term “Mawla” can refer to:
- The lord or master.
- The slave or servant.
- The ally or supporter.
- The cousin or relative.
- The one most entitled to something.
- The companion.
The poet mentioned: “I am not a Mawla for any disgrace to be called upon, for the disgrace of matters has its patrons.”
Thus, “Allah is the Mawla of the believers” means He is their supporter, and it is not said: “Indeed, they are His Mawalis” in the sense that they are the supporters of His friends, but rather it is said: “Indeed, they are His allies” in this meaning.