Name 55 of 99
الْوَلِيُّ
Al-Waliyy – The Protecting Friend, the Ally
- Transliteration
- Al-Waliyy
- Meaning
- The Protecting Friend, the Ally
- Arabic root
- و ل ي
- Theme
- Protection and care
Meaning of Al-Waliyy
Al-Waliyy is the Protector and Ally of the believers, who supports, guides and takes care of them. Verse 2:257 says that Allah is the ally of those who believe and brings them out of darkness into light. His friendship is earned through faith and righteousness.
Al-Waliyy in the Quran
Al-Waliyy appears in the Quran as a name or description of Allah. Two of the verses where it occurs:
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُنَزِّلُ ٱلْغَيْثَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا قَنَطُوا۟ وَيَنشُرُ رَحْمَتَهُۥ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْوَلِىُّ ٱلْحَمِيدُ
And He it is Who sendeth down the saving rain after they have despaired, and spreadeth out His mercy. He is the Protecting Friend, the Praiseworthy.
ٱللَّهُ وَلِىُّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ يُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَوْلِيَآؤُهُمُ ٱلطَّٰغُوتُ يُخْرِجُونَهُم مِّنَ ٱلنُّورِ إِلَى ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِ ۗ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ
Allah is the Protecting Guardian of those who believe. He bringeth them out of darkness into light. As for those who disbelieve, their patrons are false deities. They bring them out of light into darkness. Such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide therein.
Reflection
Seek the friendship of Allah through faith and good deeds; no friendship is more valuable.
Related names: protection and care
Frequently asked questions
What does Al-Waliyy mean?
Al-Waliyy (الْوَلِيُّ) means "The Protecting Friend, the Ally". Al-Waliyy is the Protector and Ally of the believers, who supports, guides and takes care of them. Verse 2:257 says that Allah is the ally of those who believe and brings them out of darkness into light. His friendship is earned through faith and righteousness.
Is Al-Waliyy mentioned in the Quran?
Yes. Al-Waliyy is mentioned as a name or description of Allah in Surah Ash-Shura 42:28 and Surah Al-Baqarah 2:257.
The list of 99 names follows the order of the narration in Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3507, without the name “Allah”, and adds Al-Ahad from Sunan Ibn Majah 3861. The hadith that Allah has ninety-nine names is in Sahih al-Bukhari 2736 and Sahih Muslim 2677. Quran text: Tanzil (Uthmani); translation: Marmaduke Pickthall (1930, public domain).