Is it permissible to call those who mixed a good deed with an evil one "awliya" (close friends of Allah), and is the term "wilayah" (friendship) applied to them?

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, is it said of those who mixed a good deed with an evil one that they are awliya (close friends of Allah) and that the term "wilayah" (friendship) is applied to them?

Answer:
Yes, the term "wilayah" (friendship) is applied to them from one aspect, provided that the evil deed does not take them out of Islam. They are called awliya (close friends of Allah) from that aspect, and they are called awliya of Shaytan from another aspect. Thus, it is gathered in a person that he is a wali (close friend of Allah) by his faith, tawhid (the oneness of Allah), and creed, and that he is a wali of Shaytan by his sins and disobedience. Yes.