The word walī (friend) is derived from walā’ (allegiance), which denotes closeness, just as ‘aduww (enemy) is derived from ‘adw, which denotes distance. Thus, a friend of Allah is someone who allies himself with Him by conforming to what He loves and is pleased with, and draws near to Him through the acts of obedience He has commanded.

In this authentic hadith, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, mentioned both categories: those who follow a middle course—the people of the right—who draw near to Allah through obligatory acts; and the foremost, who are brought near to Him, who draw near to Him through voluntary acts in addition to obligatory ones. Allah mentioned these two categories in the surahs Fātir, al-Wāqi‘a, al-Insān, and al-Mutaffifīn. He stated that the drink with which those brought near quench their thirst, drinking it pure, is mixed for the people of the right.

A friend of Allah without qualification is one who dies in that state. But if a person possesses faith and mindfulness of Allah, yet Allah knows that he will turn away from them, is he a friend of Allah while he has faith and mindfulness? Or should it be said that he was never a friend of Allah, because Allah knows his ultimate fate? Scholars hold two views on this.

Likewise, concerning faith followed by disbelief, they ask: is it valid faith that subsequently becomes void, like deeds that are nullified after being fully performed? Or is it invalid faith, like the fast of someone who breaks it before sunset, or the prayer of someone who breaks his state of ritual purity before the concluding salutation? Jurists, theologians, and Sufis likewise hold two views on this.