Wali
/ˈwɑː.li/noun
A Muslim saint or holy person, and historically a guardian, protector, or provincial governor.
Did you know?In Islamic tradition, awliyāʾ— the plural of wali—are often understood as “friends of God,” people believed to possess exceptional spiritual closeness rather than magical powers.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*w-l-y
“To be near, connected, allied, or under protection”
Ancient Arabic
Arabic
walī
“A near one, ally, protector, guardian, or patron”
Classical Islamic era
Arabic
walī
“A saintly person or spiritual friend of God; also a guardian or authority”
Medieval Persian and Urdu
Persian/Urdu
valī / walī
“A saint, holy person, or provincial governor”
19th Century
English
wali
“An Islamic saint or Muslim official, especially a governor”