According to the second meaning: “Take care of me; be my guardian, supporter, and helper in my affairs.” Thus, it encompasses both meanings, although what first comes to mind is that it derives from muwālāt (support and protection).

What is meant here by wilāyah is the special guardianship, for the general guardianship encompasses everyone: believer and disbeliever, righteous and wicked. Every person has Allah, Most High, as his Lord and Guardian. Allah, Most High, says:

“Then they are returned to Allah, their true Master. Unquestionably, His is the judgment, and He is the swiftest of reckoners.” [Surat al-An‘am]

His saying, “They are returned to Allah, their true Master,” includes everyone who dies—believer or disbeliever, righteous or wicked. This is the general guardianship, because Allah oversees the affairs of all created beings.

As for the special guardianship, it is mentioned in His saying, “Allah is the Guardian of those who believe” [Surat al-Baqarah: 257], and in His saying:

“Unquestionably, the allies of Allah will have no fear, nor will they grieve: those who believed and were mindful of Allah.” [Surat Yunus]

The supplicant who says, “Take me into Your care among those whom You have taken into Your care,” seeks the special guardianship.

“Bless for me what You have given me, and take me into Your care among those whom You have taken into Your care …”

His statement, “Bless for me what You have given me,” means: Send down blessing for me in what You have given me—wealth, knowledge, standing, children, and everything else You have given me. “Whatever blessing you have is from Allah.” [Surat al-Nahl: 53]

Thus: Bless for me all that You have bestowed upon me. When Allah grants blessing to someone in what He has given him, a little becomes much; and when blessing is removed, much becomes little. How many a person does Allah bring about, through his hands, in a few days, of goodness that He does not bring about through another in many days? And how many a person has wealth