99 Names of Allah

Al-Wali, the Governor.

Name 77 of the 99 Names of Allah. See its root and meaning, the verse where it appears, and how to use it in your dua.

Name 77 of 99

الْوَالِيْ

Al-Wālī

The Governor

Root و ل ي w-l-y

A recording of this Name is coming: our reciter is recording the Names we do not have yet.

Meaning

Al-Wali explained.

Al-Wali (الْوَالِيْ) means The Governor. It is name 77 in the well-known list of the 99 Names of Allah. Al-Wālī governs all things and manages every affair of creation. No one besides Him can protect a people from what He decrees.

The root and its meaning

Al-Wali comes from the Arabic root و ل ي (w-l-y), which carries the sense of governing and taking charge.

Where it is in the Quran

The form wāl is in 13:11: "there is not for them besides Him any patron".

Surah Ar-Ra'd 13:11

لَهُۥ مُعَقِّبَٰتٌۭ مِّنۢ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِۦ يَحْفَظُونَهُۥ مِنْ أَمْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا۟ مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ ۗ وَإِذَآ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍۢ سُوٓءًۭا فَلَا مَرَدَّ لَهُۥ ۚ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَالٍ

Lahoo mu'aqqibaatum mim baini yadaihi wa min khalfihee yahfazoonahoo min amril laah; innal laaha laa yughaiyiru maa biqawmin hattaa yughaiyiroo maa bianfusihim; wa izaaa araadal laahu biqawmin sooo'an falaa maradda lah; wa maa lahum min dooniheeminw waal

For each one are successive [angels] before and behind him who protect him by the decree of Allah. Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves. And when Allah intends for a people ill, there is no repelling it. And there is not for them besides Him any patron.

Quran 13:11. Arabic: Uthmani text (Tanzil). English: Sahih International.

Calling on Allah by this Name

Allah says: "And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them" (7:180). Begin your dua with يَا وَالِيْ (Yā Wālī) and ask for what fits its meaning. For example: "Yā Wālī, take charge of my affairs."

  1. Quran 13:11, translation by Sahih International.

Our teachers will check the Arabic, transliteration and meanings on this page before launch.

The rulings on this page are pending review by the scholars on our team.

Questions

Good to know.

What does Al-Wali mean?

Al-Wali (الْوَالِيْ) means The Governor. Al-Wālī governs all things and manages every affair of creation.

Is Al-Wali in the Quran?

The form wāl is in 13:11: "there is not for them besides Him any patron".

How do I use Al-Wali in dua?

Say Yā Wālī (يَا وَالِيْ) at the start of your dua, then ask for what suits the Name, for example: "Yā Wālī, take charge of my affairs."

Can a child be named after Al-Wali?

Yes, as Abdul-Wali, "servant of Al-Wali", which is a beautiful choice. Wali on its own, without "al", is also used for people as a description, because people can have this quality in a small, limited way.