Who are the Awliya?

Answered by SunniPath.com scholar Sidi Hamza Karamali

In the Name of God, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

The word "waliyy" (pl. awliya') means "a friend of God." Allah Most High describes these people in Quran, saying, "Lo! The friends of Allah have no fear, nor do they grieve. [They are] those who have believed and are godfearing." (10:62) In the light of this verse, scholars explain that a "waliyy" is someone who believes in Allah and then acts according to his belief by fulfilling His commands and avoiding His prohibitions.

A famous classical commentator of the Quran, Imam al-Khazin, made the following remarks about this verse:

"The word "waliyy" is linguistically derived from "wala`", which means closeness and giving victory. A "waliyy" of Allah, then, is someone who draws close to Allah by performing everything that has been made obligatory for him. He is busied by Allah [from everything else] and his heart is drowned in direct experience of the light of Allah's majesty. Whenever he looks [at anything], he sees it as something that points to Allah's omnipotence; whenever he hears [anything], he hears it as something that reminds him of Allah; whenever he speaks, he speaks praises of Allah; whenever he moves, he moves to obey Allah; and whenever he exerts himself, he exerts himself in something that draws him closer to Allah. He never slackens in the remembrance of Allah, and his heart beholds none except Allah. This is a description of the "awliya'" of Allah. Whenever a servant of Allah fits this description, Allah is his friend, gives him victory, and helps him: Allah Most High says [in a verse in Surat al-Baqara], "Allah is the friend of those who believe."" (Tafsir al-Khazin)