Living Quran

Al-Waliyy — The Protecting Friend

Al-Waliyy is the ally and protector of the believers — the root joins nearness, friendship, and guardianship. The Quran says Allah is the wali of those who believe, bringing them out of darkness into light (2:257), so the protection is chiefly one of guidance. Classical scholars note that a wali is not a distant patron but a near ally who takes charge of your affair. It appears with Al-Hamid in 42:28, joining protection to praiseworthiness.

Updated July 16, 2026

Name 55 of 99

الْوَلِيُّ

Al-Waliyy

The Protecting Friend

Where Al-Waliyy appears in the Quran

Surah Ash-Shuraa 42:28

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي يُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡغَيۡثَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا قَنَطُواْ وَيَنشُرُ رَحۡمَتَهُۥۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡوَلِيُّ ٱلۡحَمِيدُ

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

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Arabic text: Tanzil Uthmani (public domain). English translation: Marmaduke Pickthall, “The Meaning of the Glorious Koran” (1930) — public domain.

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