The Eighteenth Point:

Allah—Glorified and Exalted is He—is not described as one who assumes authority over His servants or as their commander. Exalted is His majesty and holy are His names! He is their Creator and Provider, their Lord and Sovereign; to Him belong creation and command. Nor is it (1) said that Allah is the Commander of the Believers, as one who exercises authority—such as Alī and others—is called the Commander of the Believers. Indeed, even the Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—is not described as one who assumes authority over the people or as their commander, for his station is too exalted for that. Even Abū Bakr al-Siddīq—may Allah be pleased with him—was called only the Successor of Allah’s Messenger. The first of the caliphs to be called “Commander of the Believers” was Umar—may Allah be pleased with him.

It has been related that Abdullah ibn Jahsh was the commander of an expedition and was therefore called the Commander of the Believers. This, however, was a specific command over that expedition. Before Umar, no one was given the title Commander of the Believers in a general sense, and he was indeed worthy of this title.

As for wilāya in the sense opposed to enmity, Allah takes His believing servants as allies: He loves them and they love Him; He is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. Whoever shows enmity toward an ally of His has openly challenged Him to war. This wilāya proceeds from His mercy and beneficence; it is not like one creature’s alliance with another because one needs the other.

Allah Most High says:

“And say, ‘Praise be to Allah, who has not taken a son, who has no partner in His dominion, and who has no protector arising from weakness.’”

[Sūrat al-Isrā: 111]

Thus, Allah Most High has no ally (2) arising from weakness. Rather, He is the One who says:

“Whoever desires honor—all honor belongs to Allah.”

[Sūrat Fātir: 10]

This is unlike kings and others whom a person takes as allies for his own benefit when he has no ally to support him.