I hear the word (al-wali) or (al-awliya) often. What is meant by al-awliya?

Question:
I say: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, I often hear the word al-wali or al-awliya. What is meant by al-awliya? And is there anyone in this era for whom one testifies to being a wali?

Answer:
A wali is a close one. By “a close friend of Allah” is meant one who is close to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). We do not testify to anyone’s status as a wali except with evidence, but we hope for the doer of good and fear for the doer of evil. This is the belief of the people of the Sunnah and the community: they do not testify to anyone except with evidence from the Book and the Sunnah, but they hope for the people of good and fear for the people of evil. And a wali, as Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said: So every believer who is mindful of Allah is a close friend of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). The status of wali can be strong, moderate, or weak, depending on his deeds. Yes.