awliya

Awliya (singular wali) is an Arabic term commonly translated as 'friend,' 'guardian,' or 'protector.' In Islamic usage, a wali is a person who has attained closeness to God through taqwa (piety) and spiritual discipline, and who is seen as a guide or defender of the faith. The plural awliya refers to multiple such figures. In various Islamic literatures, the term can denote both a general category of righteous believers and a more specific class of spiritually advanced individuals, especially within Sufism.

In the Qur'an the root wali appears in contexts describing guardianship, friendship with God, and the relationship between God and believers. The designation 'friends of God' or 'awliya' has become common in later Islamic literature to refer to those believed to enjoy special nearness to God and to serve as exemplary guides for others. The precise status and role of awliya are discussed differently across Islamic schools.

In Sufism, awliya are often understood as saints who have achieved intimate knowledge of God and may be attributed with karamat (miracles). They are frequently venerated as models of moral conduct and as intercessors in prayers, and many communities maintain shrines or tombs at sites associated with prominent awliya, holding commemorations and invoking blessings. Attitudes toward such practices vary; some traditions emphasize personal piety and direct supplication to God, while others warn against attributing too much power to humans.

Outside Sufi practice, awliya can also refer to exemplary believers in general. The concept is treated differently among Sunni, Shia, and other Islamic currents, reflecting diverging views on sainthood, intercession, and religious authority. In modern scholarship, discussions about awliya intersect with debates over ritual veneration, sectarianism, and the interpretation of Qur'anic terms.