Al-Wali (The Governor, the Supporter)

The other meanings are: The Protecting Friend, Patron, and Supporter.

The following is the translation of some of the verses of the Holy Quraan in which the name “Al-Wali” is revealed.

Surah Al-Shura (Ash-Shura) 9 and 28:

9.What! Have they taken (for worship) protectors besides Him? But it is Allah,-He is the Protector, and it is He Who gives life to the dead: It is He Who has power over all things,

28. He is the One that sends down rain (even) after (men) have given up all hope, and scatters His Mercy (far and wide). And He is the Protector, Worthy of all Praise.

Surah Al-Nisaa (An-Nisaa) 45:

45. Allah has full knowledge of your enemies, and Allah is Sufficient as a Wali (Protector), and Allah is Sufficient as a Helper.
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Another related name is Al-Mawla. This name came in the following verses, their translation is:

Surah Al-Hajj 78:

78. And strive hard in Allah’s Cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity and with all your efforts that His Name should be superior). He has chosen you (to convey His Message of Islamic Monotheism to mankind by inviting them to His religion, Islam), and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship, it is the religion of your father Ibrahim (Abraham). It is He (Allah) Who has named you Muslims both before and in this (the Quran), that the Messenger (Muhammad SAW)may be a witness over you and you be witnesses over mankind! So perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), give Zakat and hold fast to Allah [i.e. have confidence in Allah, and depend upon Him in all your affairs] He is your Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.), what an Excellent Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.) and what an Excellent Helper!

Surah Aali-Imraam 150:

150. But Allah is your Maula (Patron,Lord, Helper and Protector, etc.), and He is the Best of helpers.

Surah Al-Tahreem (At-Tahreem) 2:

2. Allah has already ordained for you (Muslims), the dissolution of your oaths. And Allah is your Maula (Lord, or Master, or Protector, etc.) and He is the All-Knower, the All-Wise.
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As we can see the meaning of Al-Maula and Al- Wali are vast like, Protector, Helper, Lord, Master, Governor and Patron.

The Wilaaya of Allah for the servants is of two types. One is the Common Wilaaya and second is the special Wilaaya.

1.The Common Wilaaya:

According to this Attribute of Allah, HE plans whatever HE wants for the whole universe and for all of the servants whether Muslims or non-Muslims, and whether good and righteous ones or the evil-doers. Allah All-Mighty manages the affairs of all and ordains things justly for everyone according to Allah’s knowledge and wisdom. The proof of this type of the Wilaaya is given in the verse 62 of the surah Al-An’aam. Its translation is:

62. Then they (His servants) are returned to Allah , their true Lord. Unquestionably, His is the judgement, and He is the swiftest of accountants.
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Here the words “Mawla-humul-Haqqi”are used which mean “their True Mawla”. This is to differentiate Allah WHO is the True Lord and Supporter, from the false supporters that the unbelievers take and instead of believing in and trusting Allah, they trust their false deities. They forget the fact that Allah gives them every blessing and Allah helps them in their hard times.

2.The Special Wilaaya:

This is the great Wilaaya mentioned in the Holy Quraan and the Sunnah. Allah the Most Merciful blesses, with this Wilaaya, the believing, obedient and Muttaqeen (God-Fearing) servants. Allah forgives their sins and helps them at their hard time.It is reported in the Saheeh-al-Bukhaari that during the battle of Uhud, Abu Sufyaan said to the Companions radiyallahu anhum: “For us is the Uzza and there is no Uzza for you”. The Prophet (Allah’s Peace and Blessings be upon him) said to the Companions radiyallahu anhum: “Answer him”. They asked: “What should we say?” The Prophet (Allah’s Peace and Blessings be upon him) said: “say: Allah is our Mawla and there is no Mawla for you.”

Thus this is the special Wilaaya which Allah ordains for the practicing Muslims, awliyaa and for the Prophets (alaihim salaam) only.

Some astray people do not obey Allah and HIS Messenger salla Allaho alaihi wasallam, and consider themselves awliya-Allah. But they are wrong. Similarly, Christians and Jews consider themselves to be the beloved of God and that only they will enter Paradise. But they are also in misunderstanding. The translation of the following verses will make it clear.

Surah Yoonus verses 62—64 (translation only):

62. Behold! verily on the friends of Allah there is no fear, nor shall they grieve;

63. Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism), and used to fear Allah much (by abstaining from evil deeds and sins and by doing righteous deeds).

64. For them are good tidings in the worldly life and in the Hereafter. No change is there in the words of Allah. This is indeed the great success.

We must try to reach the level where Allah provides us HIS Special Wilaaya. May Allah give us that great position, aameen.