al-Waliyy

The Protecting Friend and Ally

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Recited as it sounds in the Qur'an, 42:9.

Heard together with: al-Waliyy al-Ḥamīd (42:28); al-Mawlā (not on list)

Start with what we know

Then take away everything it needs. What is left is not a bigger version of us. It is the Name.

Episode 1

In us

A friend or guardian who stands by you.

But: Absent at times; may not know what you need; may fail.

Episode 2

In nature

Cleaner fish and their 'clients' on a reef: a mutual alliance, sometimes cheated.

Episode 3

At our best

Earth's 'shields': the idea that Jupiter protects Earth is contested. Horner & Jones (2008) found 'the presence of a giant planet can act to enhance the impact rate of asteroids on the Earth significantly'.

But: Our would-be protectors also endanger; protection in nature is mixed.

Episode 4

The Break

Take away absence, ignorance of need, mixed motive.

Friends stand beside you some of the time. al-Waliyy is the Friend with no 'some'.

Read: 2:257; 42:28.

From the tradition: Muslim 2577 (qudsi) 'all of you are astray except for those I have guided' (API 6572). Sufi: the awliyāʾ are those He befriends.

On screen

Sam can carry Frodo up the mountain but cannot carry him out of the dark. al-Waliyy (2:257).

Where it shows up

In scripture: Q 2:257; 42:9; 42:28; Ps 23.
The same thread in Jewish and Christian scripture: Psalm 23:1 'GOD is my shepherd; I lack nothing'. Moderate.
In the universe: Jupiter as 'shield' vs 'foe' (Horner & Jones 2008): honest science about protection.
In nature: Murmurations (Nat Geo 'Flight of the Starlings'): each bird watches about seven neighbours.
In people: Friendship across difference (site's cohesion theme): neighbours sheltering neighbours.
In science: Ecology: mutualism and symbiosis.

Living it

Be a loyal friend; take the side of the wronged.

Its kind

Act: something done: mercy shown, provision given, a prayer answered.

In the Qur'an: 2:257; 42:9; 42:28

Sources for this page

arxiv.org/abs/0806.2795; hadith-api eng-muslim 6572