Meaning of Wali
Qur’aanic Verse 2.107:
107
أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۗ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ
Transliteration
107. Alam taAAlam anna Allaha lahu mulku alssamawati waal-ardi wama lakum min dooni Allahi min waliyyin wala naseerin
Translation:
107. Are you not aware that, certainly, it is Allah who has sovereignty over the heavens and the earth? And none is there for you, other than Allah, as a wali154 nor anyone who can help!155
Comments:
154. I find it difficult to find an appropriate English word for this Qur’aanic word, wali (plural: awliya). Some translators have rendered it as ‘guardian’ or ‘protector’. But in verse 10.62, the Qur’aan has called some good human beings as awliya of Allah. Surely it would be preposterous to call human beings as ‘guardians’ or ‘protectors’ of Allah! Let us therefore go to the literal meaning of the three-letter Arabic root word wali, which is to be close or near. It is used in the Qur’aan in that very sense. So when the Qur’aan says that good Allah-fearing persons are awliya of Allah, it means that Allah is so pleased with such persons that He has kept them spiritually close to Himself. In verse 2.257 we are told that Allah is the wali of the believers. In other words, Allah is so very close to the believers that He protects and guides them at every step they take in their worldly lives. In verse 60.9 Allah forbids the believers from being close to (tawallaw) only those who fight with them on religion, etc. It is in this sense that in verse 5.51 Allah asks believers not to take Jews and Christians as awliya. Otherwise, Allah makes it clear in verse 60.8, that He does not forbid the believers to have normal good relations with them if they do not fight with them (the believers) in religious matters, etc.
155. In the Qur’aanic light delineated in the preceding Note, the obvious meaning of the latter part of this verse is that if anyone were not to accept Allah as his/her wali, there could be no one else who could be that person’s wali or helper. If one accepts, without any reservations whatsoever, Allah as one’s wali, then there could be one’s other awliya among living believers, by way of being one’s confidants, advisors and helpers in worldly and spiritual matters. But there could be no question of any person, dead or martyred, or of any unseen being (jinn) of becoming a wali or helper of a living person. If one takes such a being as one’s wali or helper, besides Allah, one is committing the sin of shirk (polytheism). Alas! A majority of the Muslims today are openly indulging in this unpardonable sin. Allah asks, “Do then those who suppress the Truth think that, other than Me, they can take My worshippers as awliya? …” [Q: 18.102]
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The above extract is from Qur’aanic Studies - Volume II, which I have now republished on my new reconstructed site. In this extract from my Studies, I have tried to understand the Qur’aanic meaning of the Qur’aanic term, Wali. I invite visitors to offer their own responses in the space provided on the Blog.
Mohammad Shafi
November 22nd, 2008 at 3:48 pm
u tranlated wali in ur words and make mushrik all the muslims who believe that there are some human beings which are very dearest to ALLAH TA’ALA and
plz tell the meaning of toheed and shirk .
i asamed on u that u did not read islam and make all muslim mushrik touba naouzubillah.
the verses in qyran kareem about olia ALLAH ,what u say abot them.
if u refused u would not be amuslim.
so aaqa alaihisalato wassalamm said “mafhoom” MERE BADD MUJHE APNI UMMAT SE SHIRK KA KHOUF NAI MGAR HASAD KA KHOUF HAI”
PLZ READ AGAIN THE DEFINITION OF TOHEED AND SHIRK
Mohammad Shafi responds:
The brother making the above comments is obviously not very much conversant with English. He has not clearly understood what I have stated. I have myself quoted the Verse confirming the existence of human beings who are awliya of Allah. I advise the brother to take the help of one who is conversant with English and retry to understand what I have stated. I reiterate my views. Muslims today, in general, are very much in need of introspection to consider why they have badly fallen in status, as compared to the pinnacle of glory they had reached during the first few centuries after the revelation of the Qur’aan.
November 22nd, 2008 at 4:43 pm
The following was written in 2005.
Allah the only Wali !
Al Fatihah , is the first surah of our Holy Quran , has the most repeated seven verses of the Holy Quran and logically are the most familiar verses among the Muslim population of this world in present times and in the days gone by.
The fifth verse states :
“Thee (alone) we worship and Thee (alone) we ask for help”
Yet it is a sad thing to see rampant disregard to what our own lips pronounce, day in and day out. This is not the unintentional or the casual assistance seeking we do in our society that I am talking about . It is the willful and conscience effort put in by our fellow brethrens to adopt holy (and some seemingly holy)persons , alive or dead (generally it is the later), as their Auliya( a spiritual guide that cannot be disobeyed) and seek their good offices (!!) to influence Allah (swt). Many people visiting the Durghas, ask or expect the person buried there will directly give in to their wishes!!. Here it will be pertinent to point out that Allah(swt) has made it very clear that however good a person may be , once he is dead , he is gone beyond this world. - says ayat (30.52 ) “So verily thou canst not make the dead to hear…” Similar assertion has been given in 27.80.
Our Holy Quran , the great Miraculous book of Allah (swt) has several mentions of persons who follow such auliya and very candidly says in chapter 39 verse no. 9 how such persons think they can use their auliya to get them closer to Allah(swt)
“….those who take Auliya (guardians) besides Him, (saying), We do not serve them save that they may make us nearer to Allah, …”
Wali ,the singular form of Auliya, means helper or protector or guardian or friend. In our context here, it should mean all these but under the Divine ambit. Here it would worth remembering that during the Prophet’s time (pbuh) the Quraish and other habitants of the region believed in One Almighty Allah , but at the same time they had numerable gods (like lat and manata etc.) who were considered to have, erroneously though, localized or region area of influence and proportionate clout to influence Allah (swt). Similar line of
Allah (swt) has taken the ownership of being the Wali of all believing people and says thinking in principle, does exits among our nonbelieving people today.in surah second :
“Allah is the wali of those who believe……” (verse 257)
“…and you have not, besides Allah, any wali or helper.” (107)
Since Allah is the wali, can there be anyone else who could be the wali of the believers? Could we refresh ourselves with yet another oft repeat short surah of the Holy Quran - Surah Ikhlas i.e. surah 112 verse 4
“ And there is none equal or comparable to Him”
Thus Allah Himself is indicating that there can be no one else who can be called or taken to be a wali. Thus any one doing so , creates comparables or partners to Allah (swt) and so commits Shirk and is a nonbeliever.
Allah (swt) warns us several times and identifies that auliya of the unbelievers are the devils
[7.27] ….surely We have made the Shaitans to be the auliya (guardians) of those who do not believe.
[7.3] Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow Auliya (guardians) besides Him, how little do you mind
In the present days, among the Muslims of this subcontinent, when we confront those who go to the saintly persons’ grave, or some material representations, to ask for favors they first say it is within the tenants to do so ; then if we show them what Allah (swt) has said in the holy Quran, they retort, they are doing what their fathers and grand fathers have been doing and how can all of them be wrong. As if in anticipation to this , Allah says in Surah Bakara ayat 170 :
….. “Nay! we shall follow the ways of our fathers.” What! even though their fathers Were void of wisdom and guidance?
Within the religious domain, anyone seeking favors from others, dead, alive or to any symbols(natural or man made), follows a false wali. Even our beloved Prophet has been asked to reiterate his being only a human and not to join partners to Allah as in Surah Kahf verse 110 ] Say,” I am only a man like you. It has been revealed to me that your Ilah is one One Ilah. So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord , let him work righteousness and associate none as partner in the worship of his Lord.”
What do such false auliya do? Again several verses draw the most vivid picture of what they can do and what will happen to the ones who believe in them :
[2.257]…their auliyakum are Shaitans who take them out of the light into the darkness; they are the inmates of the fire, in it they shall abide
[22.73] ……… Those on whom, besides Allah, ye call, cannot create (even) a fly, if they all met together for the purpose! and if the fly should snatch away anything from them, they would have no power to release it from the fly; weak are the invoker and the invoked.
[6.51] And warn with it those who fear that they shall be gathered to their Lord– there is no wali (guardian) for them, nor any intercessor besides Him– that they may guard (against evil).
[6.70] And leave those who have taken their religion for a play and an idle sport, and whom this world’s life has deceived, and remind (them) thereby lest a soul should be given up to destruction for what it has earned; it shall not have besides Allah any guardian nor an intercessor, and if it should seek to give every compensation, it shall not be accepted from it; these are they who shall be given up to destruction for what they earned; they shall have a drink of boiling water and a painful chastisement because they disbelieved.
[7.30] A part has He guided aright and (as for another) part, error is justly their due, surely they took the Shaitans for guardians beside Allah, and they think that they are followers of the right
[18.102] What! do then those who disbelieve think that they can take My servants to be guardians besides Me? Surely We have prepared hell for the entertainment of the unbelievers.
[45.10] Before them is hell, and there shall not avail them aught of what they earned, nor those whom they took for guardians besides Allah, and they shall have a grievous punishment.
Allah (swt) further tells us that our seeking a false wali is like having the weakest support for ourselves; see what He says in surah 29 verse 41
“The parable of those who take guardians besides Allah is as the parable of the spider that makes for itself a house; and most surely the frailest of the houses is the spider’s house if they but know.”
So hold to the rope of Allah (swt) and follow not the false wali. Be a true Believer, a Muslim and the righteous. For that, one has not to take any trouble to go anywhere, as Allah is the One closest to us all. Says He in [2.186] “And when My servants question you concerning Me, then surely I am nigh. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he cries unto Me. So let them hear My call and let them trust in Me , in order that they may be led aright.”
Yes He is closer to us than our jugular vein, so lets seek Him alone.
(Compiled from translations by Pickthall and Yusuf Ali)
A.Q.J.Aga
aqjaga@yahoo.com : I would be pleased to hear from you if you have some views or corrections to offer.
7th June 2005
November 22nd, 2008 at 8:16 pm
If there were no walis the Islam would have never gathered so many in from other religion in India( undivided)? The wahabis and Saudis are poisioning the minds by promoting narrow meaning of Islam.
Mohammad Shafi responds:
Please see my responses to other comments on this post. I am afraid, Brother, that it is persons of your school of thought who are poisoning the minds of Muslims by promoting narrow meaning of Islam.
November 23rd, 2008 at 2:47 pm
[2:107] Do you not recognize the fact that GOD possesses the kingship of the heavens and the earth; that you have none besides GOD as your Lord and Master?
This is taken from the English Translation of Quran by Dr.Rashad Khalifa, The messanger of Covenant as mentined in the following verse,
[3:81] GOD took a covenant from the prophets, saying, “I will give you the scripture and wisdom. Afterwards, a messenger will come to confirm all existing scriptures. You shall believe in him and support him.” He said, “Do you agree with this, and pledge to fulfill this covenant?” They said, “We agree.” He said, “You have thus borne witness, and I bear witness along with you.”
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*3:81 This major prophecy has now been fulfilled. God’s Messenger of the Covenant, as prophesied in this verse and in the Bible’s Malachi 3:1-21, Luke 17:22-36, & Matthew 24:27 is to purify and unify God’s messages which were delivered by God’s prophets. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. have been severely corrupted. It is the will of Almighty God to purify them and unify them under the banner of worshiping Him alone.
Mohammad Shafi responds:
Dr. Rashad Khalifa is one of those false messengers, who do not believe in the incorruptibility of the Qur’aan as divinely guaranteed in Verse 15.9. He and believers in him are therefore not entitled to participate in this discussion, obviously restricted to believers in the Qur’aan.
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:06 pm
salaam,
In this regards, you may wish to research the context of intercession [Shafa’ah] as given in 39:44. That entire section discusses calling on those other than God, and shows us that intercession, as commonly practiced, is actually a form of Shirk that we are to avoid. Allah is not our real Walee if we are in fact worshipping or calling on others besides him. Insha-Allah, I will write about it myself in the future.
I would like to share a story with you. I once worked at a restaurant with other Muslims [who did not pray at all BTW] and I would excuse myself to offer my prayers. Once, I was asked about the ’short’ time I take in prayer, to which I said that in general I offer the obligatory [Fard] prayers, and not Sunnah and Nawaafil. To which, this person told me that I should perform Sunnah prayers [i.e. 2 or 4 Rak’ats before Dhuhr, etc..] if I expect the intercession of Muhammad [peace be upon him].
I was surprised this person, who did not pray at all, would try to say something like that to me. I responded by quoting the verse 39:44 “And to God belongs intercession in its entirety”. Can you believe the person tried to argue with the verse!
Subhanallah.
Mohammad Shafi responds:
I do entirely agree. Please look for an email, I propose to forward to you, discussing the subject of intecession.
November 26th, 2008 at 5:34 am
Salam Alaykum!
Alhamdulillah! This Topic is really an eye opening for all seekers of Truth and men of understanding. This has been really an issue among the Muslims whether people should ask others for help in their presence or in their absence whether dead or alive. Quran is contineously refuting anything and anyone Other than Allah SWT . This is the Faith and Beleif of a True Muslim not to associate any other Diety when he/she calls upon his Lord who said that I am Most Near in Ayah 2:186. When Allah is the All Hearing, All Knowing All Seeing and with His Servants wherever they are through His Knowledge and Mercy and when Every matter is decreed by Allah SWT alone and is independent of all of His Creation then we as the Beleivers of Attributes of Allah and Beleiving that Our Allah is the One who loves to answer every call of His Servants should have confidence that Allah alone is the Wali of his servants and no one else.
What i think is meant by wali in some verses, which Allah SWT says the beleivers are the walis of each other . I means they are helpers of each other. Inspiring eachother for Truth and Righteousness.
Encouraging each other to have Patience with Trails and Tribulations seeking the Releif even in difficult and bitter situations from Allah.
Helping each other performing their righteous religious duties towards Allah and serving Islamic Benefits and serving Muslims and Humanity.
Councelling each other in matters of faith and Beleif and purification and in other worldy related issues.
Supporting each other in a Just Cause when it comes to stand with each other against any sort of aggresstion,injustice or oppression.
Consoling each other through Advises and suggesstions.
Spending upon each other in the times of Ease and difficulties inorder to make each other experience the Delight of Faith and the Love in Islam encouraing each other to have Love for each other for the sake of Islam and grow the spirit of sacrifice for each other thus unifying the Muslim Community and making Muslims live like One Muslim Body.
By giving company to each other in the times of greif and lonliness.
By establishing the institutes of Learning Islamic Knowledge and where we can discuss with each other matters of religion and world on the whole.
This is what i think is the meaning of Wali.
“Seeking Assistance in matters related to Religion and World”
I personally beleive that there is none except Allah who is the Listener of our Prayers and who can answer to our Prayers but Allah.
There is none who is allowed to be called for help except Allah which is the meaning of Iyyaka nabudu Wa Iyyaka Nastaeen.
Worshipping Allah alone means calling none other than Allah for help.
But seeking help from each other in order to make you to take your course of life so that our Judgement is Righteous Judgement.
Allah knows the Best
May Allah increase us in Knowledge and make us get benefitted by our Life and live as Muslims and die as Muslims.
Aameen
Brother In Islam
Muneer
December 4th, 2008 at 5:01 am
Salaam Aleikoem,
Islam is easy so KEEP it easy.
If someone is a Wali of Allah.
You and I will not know that, because of the fact we can’t open his heart ans See if someone is sincere.
So please every sincere worshipper must refrain from falling in the hands of this idiotry.
ISlam is simple.
Creator is the one who must be whorshipped!
Are You in NEed call the creator!
The creator will send you help ether way he helps you or you get tested.
Only ALLAh know his real soldiers.\\
So You all try to be a Wali of Allah and refrain from callin others that.
You and I are not in the position to judge of someone is or is not.
If someone tells me he or he is a wali, than I will say to this person.
What does it benefit you if he was or was not?
Because I dont know what he does at Home.\
Maybe he jells at his wife beat his children, dont give Zakat.
Maybe he does not even believe in Allah, only saying it that people can Say look at that.
Thats a Wali.
Allah states in the quran that one should not be afraid if he is a wali of Allah.
So try all of you to be a sincere devout whorshipper of Allah.
And don’t brag about the nafila your doing and try to make you Ibadah sincere to Allah
Ask Allah to make him your best friend and Allah is the only real friend we need.
Brothers & Sisters keep Islam Simple like it is.
Ask ALLAH and Allah will Insja Allah
Salaam aleikoem
Your brother from Amsterdam
Abuadam,Ibrahim Dahou
http://Www.iciu.nl
December 4th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
I am posting these comments as I got an e mail to give honest comments on this subject. Trust you will read my comments with an open mind
The Dictionary and Glossary of Koran by Penrice (1873) translates the word Wali as “To be very near to any one either as Kindred or neighbors”; Aulia, being plural of Wali. The word wali also forms a part of Urdu and Persian vocabulary. Urdu Lexicons translate this word to give the same meaning as in Penrice’s Glossary. In addition, Urdu dictionaries also have another word “Aulia-Allah” meaning persons who are closer to Allah by virtue of their piety and devotion to Allah. In practice Aulia Allah, among Urdu speaking people refers to the Dawah workers who came to this part of the subcontinent (essentially from Arabia) several centuries ago and brought the religion of Islam to the locals. The preaching and practice of these scholars, the hardships they underwent, the devotion and patience with which they preached has been chronicled by several historians. Interestingly, the work of these Muslim preachers is closely observed and recorded by Christian missionaries as well; obviously due to exemplary nature and the success rate of these Muslim preachers as an input to their own preaching methodology. It is no wonder, therefore, that these Preachers are highly respected even today and are referred to as Auila-Allah meaning friends of Allah or those close to Allah. While I do not question the meaning of Wali which you have stated viz. Protector or guardian, yet one can not ignore other meanings. It is therefore not quite correct to declare all those who refer to these religious men as Aulia Allah or simply Aulia as indulging in the unpardonable sin of Shirk. I strongly believe that one should not be callous in declaring any Muslim as indulging in shirk without properly understanding what exactly the people other than those of our own school of thought think, act and believe. Prophet of Allah, (pbuh) after his heavenly journey of Mairaj said “if anyone gets even the slightest idea of hell fire he would stop smiling for the rest of his life”. Let alone Hell fire, even if one sees the worldly sufferings due to starvation or painful diseases, any body with even slightest kindness in his heart would instantly say: Even our worst enemy should not suffer like this. Under these circumstances I can not imagine how heartless one can be to make declarations like “alas you are all committing shirk”; as if to say “you are all hell bound and I am the blessed one entering paradise for sure”. This according me is arrogance (Takabbur) and surely Allah will call upon, on the Day of Judgment, such arrogant to account for what they used to say.
Dr Arshad Ahmed
Mohammad Shafi responds:
It appears the learned Dr has not bothered to read my comments on the Qur’aanic Verse quoted, carefully. Otherwise he would not have committed obvious factual mistakes. While I myself dispute the meaning of wali to be exclusively ‘Protector/Guardian’, the Dr seems to attribute the ‘exclusive’ meaning to me! However, the Dr should know that the word has been used in the Verse in the meaning of Protector/Guardian. The Verse reiterates that man can have no one, other than Allah, as his wali. And if he takes any one as his wali, other than Allah, despite this clear divine injunction, he is committing nothing but shirk. Does the Dr want to contradict the Qur’aan?