Quranic root
ولي
w · l · y
The root centers on nearness and being next to something or someone.
From physical or relational proximity develop the meanings of attachment, alliance, protection, guardianship, authority, succession, and comparative priority.
- Maqāyīs · row 5220
- Mufradāt · row 1614
- 9
- Quran-attested forms
- 18
- Quran senses
- 232
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
وَلِيَ
waliya
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
To be near, next to, or immediately adjacent to.
In the Quranic occurrence, the verb describes people situated close to those addressed.
- Mufradāt · row 1614
Selected Quran examples
Quran 9:123word 6
“(are) close to you”
وَلَّى
wallā
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form II
- Form
- II
- Quran occurrences
- 30 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
To turn, direct, or cause someone or something to face toward a direction.
The construction may take a direct object, including a person, face, or body, and expresses directed orientation.
- Lane · entry 30681
- Mufradāt · row 1614
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:144word 7
“So We will surely turn you”
Quran 2:144word 10
“So turn”
To cause someone or something to turn away or back; to turn away, retreat, or be turned back.
The Quranic form covers both causative uses and contexts in which a group or person turns away or retreats.
- Lane · entry 30681
- Mufradāt · row 1614
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:142word 6
“(has) turned them”
Quran 3:111word 7
“they will turn (towards) you”
تَوَلَّى
tawallā
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form V
- Form
- V
- Quran occurrences
- 78 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
To turn away, withdraw, depart, or turn one's back.
The turning may be bodily or may consist in refusing to listen, obey, or remain receptive; constructions with عَنْ explicitly express turning away from something.
- Lane · entry 30684
- Mufradāt · row 1614
Selected Quran examples
Quran 3:20word 20
“they turn back”
Quran 16:82word 2
“they turn away”
To attach oneself to someone as an ally, friend, or protective associate.
The verb expresses assuming an affiliative or protective relationship with its object, especially in constructions translated as taking someone as an ally.
- Mufradāt · row 1614
Selected Quran examples
Quran 5:51word 13
“takes them as allies”
Quran 22:4word 5
“befriends him”
To take charge of or undertake an affair; to assume responsibility or authority.
The object may be an affair or matter that one undertakes or assumes responsibility for.
- Lane · entry 30684
- Mufradāt · row 1614
Selected Quran examples
Quran 47:22word 4
“you are given authority”
أَوْلَى
ʾawlā
- Part of speech
- Adjective / comparative noun
- Quran occurrences
- 12 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Nearer or closer, especially in relationship, attachment, or priority.
The comparative may describe relational closeness or a stronger claim of proximity; the dual form refers to two persons with the stronger claim or priority.
- Lane · entry 30690
- Mufradāt · row 1614
Selected Quran examples
Quran 33:6word 2
“(is) closer”
Quran 8:75word 13
“(are) nearer”
More worthy, entitled, deserving, fit, or appropriate for something.
It commonly occurs with بِـ to express having the better or strongest right, claim, suitability, or entitlement; this also supports fortiori constructions.
- Lane · entry 30690
- Mufradāt · row 1614
Selected Quran examples
Quran 4:135word 21
“(is) nearer”
Quran 5:107word 14
“the former two”
In the repeated expression أَوْلَىٰ لَكَ فَأَوْلَىٰ, an expression of impending punishment or woe.
The Quranic expression is interpreted in the lexical tradition as a threat or warning, with explanations relating it to approaching punishment, rebuke, or the consequence that is most fitting.
- Mufradāt · row 1614
Selected Quran examples
Quran 75:34word 1
“Woe”
Quran 75:34word 3
“and woe”
مَوْلَى
mawlā
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 21 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
A protector, patron, master, or guardian; one who has a protective or governing relationship with another.
The term is relational and may describe the superior or responsible party in a protective, patronal, or governing bond.
- Lane · entry 30691
- Mufradāt · row 1614
Selected Quran examples
Quran 16:76word 14
“his master”
Quran 47:11word 10
“protector”
A close relation, ally, or affiliated associate; in plural usage, a successor or heir.
The relationship may arise from kinship, alliance, or another close affiliation; the Quranic plural forms include contexts of succession and inheritance.
- Lane · entry 30691
- Mufradāt · row 1614
Selected Quran examples
وَلِيّ
waliyy
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 86 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
A guardian, protector, manager, or person who has charge of another or of another's affairs.
The term may describe protective authority over a person, property, or affair, including divine protection and guardianship.
- Lane · entry 30686
- Mufradāt · row 1614
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:257word 2
“(is the) Protecting Guardian”
A close ally, friend, or devoted associate; in religious usage, a favored or devoted friend of God.
The plural أَوْلِيَاءُ is frequently used for allied, protective, or spiritually devoted associates.
- Lane · entry 30686
- Mufradāt · row 1614
Selected Quran examples
Quran 10:62word 3
“(the) friends”
A legal guardian, executor, heir, or next of kin with recognized responsibility or claim.
The sense is used in contexts of guardianship, execution of a deceased person's affairs, inheritance, and the legal standing of a close relative.
- Lane · entry 30686
- Mufradāt · row 1614
Selected Quran examples
Quran 17:33word 14
“for his heir”
Quran 19:5word 13
“an heir”
مُوَلِّي
muwallī
- Part of speech
- Active participle
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
One who turns or directs something toward a direction.
The Quranic active participle occurs in the construction of turning the face or attention toward a designated direction.
- Lane · entry 30681
- Mufradāt · row 1614
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:148word 4
“turns towards it”
وَالٍ
wālin
- Part of speech
- Active participle
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
A governor, ruler, or person vested with protective or administrative authority.
The Quranic active participle is explained as equivalent to a وَلِيّ in the sense of one exercising charge or protective authority.
- Lane · entry 30689
- Mufradāt · row 1614
Selected Quran examples
Quran 13:11word 35
“protector”
وِلَايَة
wilāyah
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 2 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Protection, support, or protective alliance.
This relational noun describes the bond or condition of mutual protection and support.
- Mufradāt · row 1614
Selected Quran examples
Quran 8:72word 25
“their protection”
Quran 18:44word 2
“the protection”
Authority, guardianship, or taking charge of an affair.
The lexical tradition distinguishes the authority/administrative sense from the support sense by vocalization, while both belong to the semantic field of being responsible for or close to another.
- Mufradāt · row 1614
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:64تَوَلَّيْتُمyou turned away
- 2:83تَوَلَّيْتُمْyou turned away
- 2:107وَلِىٍّۢprotector
- 2:115تُوَلُّوا۟you turn
- 2:120وَلِىٍّۢprotector
Broader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 18 Classical meanings
وَلِيَهُ
To hold command or authority over a thing, country, province, town, or affair; to manage, govern, preside over, or superintend it.
This is the direct verbal construction of exercising charge or authority.
- Lane · entry 30680
وَلِيَ
To perform or carry out an act oneself.
A construction in which the subject performs the indicated act directly.
- Lane · entry 30680
وَلَّى
To recede or decline, and figuratively to deteriorate or pass into a worse state.
Classically said of such things as war, night, an affair, or a person declining through age; these are extensions of retreat or retrogression.
- Lane · entry 30681
وَلَّى
To appoint someone over an affair or set someone to supervise or carry it out.
The construction expresses conferring administrative charge on a person.
- Lane · entry 30681
وَلَّى
To put someone or something behind oneself or turn one's back on it.
This conventional construction may imply leaving something behind, avoiding it, or placing oneself in a position of defense.
- Lane · entry 30681
وَالَاهُ
To be next or adjacent to something.
Said of one place or tract in relation to another.
- Lane · entry 30682
وَالَى
To make things consecutive, successive, or uninterrupted; to connect them in succession.
The construction describes continuity or ordered succession between things or affairs.
- Lane · entry 30682
وَالَاهُ
To befriend someone or act as a friend and ally.
This is the Form III reciprocal or relational construction of friendly association.
- Lane · entry 30682
أَوْلَى
To give or bring something near.
The Form IV verb expresses causing something to reach or become near.
- Lane · entry 30683
أَوْلَى
To confer a benefit or favor, put someone in possession of something, or bring a condition upon someone.
The object may be a favor or benefit, and the same causative construction can also express bringing abasement or ignominy upon someone.
- Lane · entry 30683
اِسْتَوْلَى
To master or gain control over someone or something; to obtain it in one's possession or power.
The construction commonly occurs with عَلَى and expresses established control or dominance.
- Lane · entry 30685
وَلِيّ
The next of kin of a slain person who manages the resulting affair, or the killer's next of kin who is answerable for him.
This is a specialized legal kinship usage distinct from ordinary protection or friendship.
- Lane · entry 30686
وَلِيّ
One entitled to praise or possessing praise.
Attested in the specialized expression اللهُ وَلِيُّ الحَمْدِ.
- Lane · entry 30686
وَلِيّ
Rain that follows the وَسْمِيّ rain.
A rare lexical sense based on temporal succession: the later rain is called وَلِيّ because it follows the earlier rain.
- Lane · entry 30686
وَلَاء
Relationship, affiliation, or a bond of attachment between persons.
The term may also denote the people belonging to such an affiliation.
- Lane · entry 30687
وَلَاء
The legally recognized right to inherit the property of an emancipated slave.
This is the technical law-of-clientage sense of الولاء.
- Lane · entry 30687
مَوْلَى
A freedman or client, and by extension a slave within the corresponding patronage relationship.
The term is relational and can designate either side of the emancipation-based bond, depending on context.
- Lane · entry 30691
مَوَالِيَا
A short poetic form, generally of five lines, usually with a repeated rhyme.
This is a specialized literary term and is unrelated to the ordinary relational noun except in form.
- Lane · entry 30692
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
وِلَايَة and وَلَايَة are reported with a vocalic distinction in the lexical tradition: one is associated especially with support, and the other with taking charge or authority; Quranic translation may render the same relational field as protection, guardianship, alliance, or authority.
وَلِيّ and مَوْلَى are relational terms whose direction of attachment or responsibility is determined by context; they can designate a protector, ally, patron, master, client, relation, or other associated party rather than a single fixed English role.
The repeated Quranic expression أَوْلَىٰ لَكَ فَأَوْلَىٰ has multiple closely related traditional explanations involving threat, approaching punishment, or rebuke; it is therefore kept as a distinct expression rather than reduced to ordinary comparative worthiness.