Velayet

Velayet (Turkish velâyet) is a term in Islamic mysticism referring to the spiritual state or office of a wali (saint) and the corresponding divine sanction or influence. It comes from Arabic wilāya, meaning guardianship, authority, proximity to God.

Within Sufism, velâyet denotes the saint's closeness to God, his or her ability to guide others, and the perceived power to perform miracles (keramet) granted by God. The spiritual authority is often transmitted through a silsila, a chain of transmission connecting a disciple to the Prophet and to the saints.

In Turkish practice, velâyet appears in hagiographic literature and in the vocabulary of religious life, where saints are said to have a protective role over communities or shrines. The Velâyetname is a type of saint's life narrative that celebrates this guardianship. The concept has parallels in Arabic wilāya and Persian velāyat, and it is central to many Sufi orders in Anatolia and the broader Turkish-speaking world.

Some Muslim thinkers outside Sufism have challenged or rejected the idea of saints' intercession, but velâyet remains a widely recognized category in Turkish religious culture.

Modern usage: velâyet can denote divine guardianship in doctrinal or devotional contexts and should not be confused with political or legal guardianship.