الْوَالِي
The Governor
Al-Wali
The Governor
The One who governs and administers the entire universe single-handedly with perfect order.
Virtue
Al-Wali declares that Allah administers, protects, and governs the affairs of all creation. In Surah ar-Ra'd 13:11 He says: 'When Allah wills evil for a people, there is none to turn it back; and they have, besides Him, no protector (Wali).' Al-Wali is close in meaning to Al-Waliyy but distinct: Al-Wali means 'administrator, manager,' while Al-Waliyy means 'beloved friend.' The servant who reflects on this name does not fall into anxiety about the world's course—it is Al-Wali who governs all events; no oppressor's power stands without His permission.
Related Hadith
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him): 'Know that if the ummah were to gather to benefit you, they could not benefit you except with what Allah has decreed; and if they were to gather to harm you, they could not harm you except with what Allah has decreed.'
[Tirmizî, Sıfatu'l-Kıyâme, no. 2516]
