The Close Protecting Friend, the Ally, the Loving Guardian
He is the One Who lovingly guards and guides His creation. Al-Wali is the Lord and Protector of creation, showing the path to righteousness. He is the One Who protects, guards, and supports the believer in this world and the next.
Al-Wali is the close protecting ally of his friends in every situation, everywhere and at any time. He is not in need of friends; in fact, it is the greatest blessing for us to have Him as our protecting guide and close ally.
Al-Wali combines the near, loving, protective, and guarding attributes of the One, Who is also the Lord and Master of the universe! Al-Wali Himself says: “Or have they taken protectors [or allies] besides him? But Allah – He is the Protector…” (Ash-Shuraa 42:9)
During the Battle of Uhud, Abu Sufyan said: “We have (the idol) Al-Uzza, whereas you have no Uzza!” The Prophet (sa) said (to his companions): “Reply to him.” They said: “What may we say?” The Prophet (sa) said: “Say: Allah is our Helper and you have no helper.” (Bukhari)
Umar ibn al-Khattab (rtam) reported the Prophet (sa) as saying: “There are people from the servants of Allah (swt) who are neither prophets nor martyrs; the prophets and martyrs will envy them on the Day of Resurrection for their rank from Allah, the Most High.” They (the people) asked: “Tell us, Messenger of Allah (sa), who are they?” He replied: “They are people who love one another for the spirit of Allah (i.e., the Quran), without having any mutual kinship and giving property to one. I swear by Allah, their faces will glow and they will be (sitting) in (pulpits of) light. They will have no fear (on the Day), when the people will have fear, and they will not grieve when the people will grieve.” He then recited the following Quranic verse: “Unquestionably, [for] the allies of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve” (Yunus 10:62) (Abu Dawud)
Prophet Muhammad (sa) said that Awliya Allah are those people who remind you of Allah (swt) when you see them. “Allah is the ally of those who believe. He brings them out from darknesses into the light.” (Al-Baqarah 2:257)
Al-Wali also mentions the allies of Shaitan and the consequences of their deeds: “And those who disbelieve – their allies are Taghut. They take them out of the light into darknesses. Those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein.” (Al-Baqarah 2:257)
Al-Wali sends His angels for help to his Awliya like in the Battle of Badr. “Indeed, those who have said, ‘Our Lord is Allah’ and then remained on a right course – the angels will descend upon them [saying]: ‘Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised.’” (Fussilat 41:30)
Allah’s (swt) mercy has 100 parts, out which 99 are for the Day of Judgment reserved for Awliya of Allah (swt) – people who leave Haram for the fear of displeasing Allah (swt) and strive to fulfill their obligations for His pleasure.
How Can We Live by This Name?
- Strive to be Allah’s (swt) Wali.
Al-Wali says in a Hadeeth Qudsi: “Nothing endears My servant to Me than doing what I have made obligatory upon him to do. And My servant continues to draw nearer to Me with the supererogatory (Nawafil), so that I shall love him. When I love him, I shall be his hearing with which he shall hear, his sight with which he shall see, his hands with which he shall hold, and his feet with which he shall walk. And if he asks (something) of Me, I shall surely give it to him, and if he takes refuge in Me, I shall certainly grant him it.” (Bukhari)
Do not think that only scholars can be Awliya; know that you too can be a Wali of Allah (swt)! How? First, start out by focusing on your obligatory acts of worship. For example, give priority to your prayer – work on always praying on time and learning ways to concentrate better in your Salah. Then complement these obligatory acts by doing as many voluntary deeds as you can. For example, study the Sunnah, so you can apply the daily ways of our Prophet (sa) in your life. As the result, Al-Wali will love you, and when He loves you, He will guide you in using your limbs righteously. He will grant your wishes and protect you!
- Strive for Taqwa.
If you want to be a Wali of Allah (swt), build a relationship with the Quran and ask Al-Wali to give you understanding of its Ayahs, so you would be inspired to live by them. Remember – Taqwa is that fear, which stops you from Haram, so as to avoid displeasing your guiding Friend and Protector.
- Be a Righteous Friend.
Be a loving friend to others, protecting their rights. The Prophet (sa) said: “Allah will aid a servant (of His), so long as the servant aids his brother.” (Muslim)
- Seek and Befriend People with Taqwa.
“You will be with those, whom you love,” said Prophet Muhammad (sa), “so mind the company you keep.” (Bukhari)
- Trust that Allah (swt) is the Best Ally.
Remind yourself that Al-Wali is the Best Ally to turn to at all times and put your trust in Him.
“Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs.” (Al Imran 3:73)
“… know that Allah is your protector. Excellent is the protector, and Excellent is the helper.” (Al-Anfal 8:40)
- Ask Al-Wali.
Prophet Yusuf (as), after being blessed with kingship, asked for Al-Wali to be his Protecting Friend.
“My Lord, You have given me [something] of sovereignty and taught me of the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and earth, You are my protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous.” (Yusuf 12:101)
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