Wali, plural awliya, is an arabic word meaning friend. Awliya Allah, therefore, means Friends of Allah (swt).

Reference to the Friends of Allah (swt) is found in the Quran, Hadith Qudsi & Narrations of our Holy Prophet (saw).

We would, firstly, like to bring you to the attention of the following authentic hadith which has been narrated in Abu Daud that Our Holy Prophet (saw) said:

‘O people! Listen, understand and know it well. Allah has servants who are neither Prophets nor martyrs and whom the Prophets and martyrs yearn to be like, due to their seat and proximity in relation to Allah….

Our Holy Prophet (saw) then described these people and then read the following Ayah in which Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an:

“Behold! Verily on the Friends of Allah there is no fear nor shall they grieve”
Quran (Surah10: Verse 62)

Abu Huraira (r.a) also reports a Hadith Qudsi in which our Holy Prophet (saw) informs us that Allah (swt) said:

‘Whosoever acts with enmity towards a Friend of Mine, I will indeed declare war against him”
[Hadith Qudsi: Bukhari]

We can therefore clearly conclude that the Friends of Allah (swt) are envied by, but are neither, Prophets or martyrs, who have no fear or grief and are loved & protected by Allah (swt).

In the sub menus to this topic we aim to describe their characteristics & purpose and provide you with enough information for you to be able to recognise a Friend of Allah (swt), visit him with correct discipline & understand some of the countless blessings entrusted to them.

Who knows, maybe one day, InshAllah, you too will have a desire to strive and become a Friend of Allah (swt)