A historical approach to the meaning of the word "Wali"

The leadership of the Islamic Ummah after the death of the holy Prophet (PBUH) has been one of the most controversial issues in Islamic society since the past. What mechanism he has devised and implemented to continue the call of Islam in the future can be examined with several perspectives. In the narrative view, verses from the Qurchr('39')an and a multitude of narrations are significant in terms of interpretation and history. The present research relies on this hadith of the Holy Prophet (PBUH): «إن علیا منی، و انا منه، و هو ولی کل مومن من بعدی». It focuses on the term "Wali", and considers the words, citations and references of the Muslim caliphs and especially the first three caliphs to it. From a historical point of view and analytically, this study tries to provide a precise semantics of this Quranic term in line with the issue of succession of the holy Prophet. The findings of this study show that the use of this term in the speeches and citations of the first three caliphs is explicit regarding the concept of priority in possession, leadership, succession and leadership of the society. In fact, the understanding of the people from the words of the caliphs clearly emphasizes and testifies to this.