Al-Wali
The Governor
Exalted and Glorious
Know you not that it is Allah to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth? And besides Allah you have neither any Wali nor helper. (2:107)
And if you were to follow their desires after what you have received of Knowledge, then you would have sinned against Allah neither any Wali nor any helper. (2:120)
Verily, among mankind who have the best claim to Ibrahim are those who followed him, and this Prophet (alayhi-as-salam), and those who have believed. And Allah is Wali of the believers. (3:68)
But remind them with it lest a person be given up to destruction for that which he has earned, when he will find for himself no protector or intercessor besides Allah. (6:70)
This attribute clearly indicates that it is Allah Who directs, manages, governs and measures. Allah has appointed guardians to accompany His bondsmen to keep a full record of all deeds.
He who repeats this name 33 times and breathes it into his house, his house will be free from danger.
Al-Wali is the Friend Who is the King of all things, the Administer and the Judge before Whom all is witnessed, and Who carries out His orders, and the One to Whom His order returns. So be the watcher over your condition, and know that whatever mistakes you are given are for the strengthening of whatever you have achieved.
From: The Meanings of the Names of Our Lord by Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i Head of the Higher Sufi Council in Jerusalem and the Holy Land Teacher at the Dome of the Rock (al-Aqsa)
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Allah is the sole manager and governor of the whole creation. His government is of such might that the whole creation from beginning to end (even before it was created!) is under the its will and power. With the single order “Be!” all came into existence from nonexistence. Everything appears in this way: managed, developed, and when its time comes, dying, disappearing from sight. Even after death, everything stays under His government, and finally will be brought back to life again. In His managing of the creation, Allah knows at all times what has happened, what is happening, and what will happen, as all is planned, predestined. He is the one who wills and He is the one who executes.
Prior to your creation, He prepared a program for you: at what moment and place and from which mother you would be born, and all that would happen to you, all that you would do every minute of your life, up to the number of breaths you would inhale, up to the morsels of food that you would consume. Every syllable you will pronounce, every sound you will hear, all that you will see and all that you will do, is planned.
In the whole of creation, He has given will only to human beings. You think you can change your destiny with this will. In reality, your willing only serves your realizing, receiving, benefiting from, and enjoying that which is written for you.
When you think you revolt, what would have happened to you still happens to you, only you are unaware, unconscious, resentful, and in disharmony with what happens. Your will is your ability either to open your eyes to see the creation of Allah in which His beautiful Names are manifested, and to receive the light of faith and knowledge or to revolt and sin, closing your eyes and remaining in darkness. Yet that which exists still exists, whether you see it or you are blind to it.
The whole of creation is governed by Allah’s knowledge and power: not a leaf moves without His will. Neither is the movement of the leaf disconnected from other things moved by the same wind, by the same will.
Do not think you are left on your own. Know and see that you are part of a divine order under a just, compassionate, beneficent Governor. All is measured, all is registered, all moves swiftly. Use your will to be aware of it, to have faith in it, and to be in harmony with it.
‘Abd al-Wali is the servant who governs himself and those who are entrusted to his care according to Allah’s rules. He is just, he is good, and he dispenses justice and goodness. In return for his services he receives bounties and wisdom from Allah with which he further perfects his management and his generosity toward other people.
When such a servant teaches others to be just and generous like him, each time those he teaches act justly and generously, he receives twice the reward they receive. The good ruler is the one whose good deeds will surpass his wrongdoings on the scale of the Day of Judgment. Allah keeps such rulers under the shade of His throne. Allah is the helper of all those who help others.
If a believer who holds a responsible position of power recites this Name 1000 times on Fridays for the good of the people under his management, his words will benefit them. They will also be more thankful, respectful, and obedient toward him.
If one fears an oncoming natural disaster may endanger one’s home, if one writes this Name on a vessel filled with water and sprinkles the water around the house, it may be protected.
From: The Name & the Named by Shaykh Tosun Bayrak al-Jerrahi al-Halveti
