The verse of () is verse 5:55 of the Quran, the central religious text of Islam. This verse specifies three authorities as the only sources of for Muslims. In Sunni Islam, in this context signifies 'friendship' or 'support', whereas Shia Muslims interpret it as 'spiritual authority' because of its exclusivity.
The first two authorities listed in the verse are God and the Islamic prophet Muhammad. In some Sunni sources, the third authority is all Muslims, whereas Shia sources identify the third authority in this verse as Ali ibn Abi Talib, cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, citing the occasion of its revelation. In Shia Islam, this verse thus sanctions the spiritual authority of Ali over all Muslims, after God and Muhammad, and supports his (usurped) right to succeed the prophet. Other Sunni sources link this verse to Ali but reject any Shia implications.
The Arabic root of the word describes affinity and proximity between two parties, and the word itself thus means one who is near and close, as in guardian, friend, helper, master, or heir. In a political context, is an individual who exercises political authority on behalf of a superior power (even God). The plural form of the word is and the words , , , are from the same Arabic root; all these words appear in the Quran. Therein, al-Wali appears as a name of God, meaning Protector (of those who believe in Him). Applied to others, the word in the Quran takes various meanings, including 'protecting friend', 'guardian', 'lord', 'master', and (spiritual or material) heir.
and
The two corresponding nouns, and , are indistinguishable in an unvocalized text, and have nearly identical meanings, namely, 'to be near or close to something', 'to be a friend or relative of someone', 'to manage or govern, to have authority or command'. Between the two words, often refers to the first two of the three meanings, while commonly refers to the last meaning, that is, authority.
In the Quran, the word broadly indicates the mutual bond of loyalty between God and those who believe in Him, the bond of loyalty among Muslims, and lastly the bond among adherents of all monotheistic religions. The strength of these loyalties may vary, however, as suggested by the Shia translation of verse 33:6 of the Quran, "The prophet has a greater claim () on the faithful that they have on themselves." Yet the Sunni translation of the same verse is, "The prophet is more caring towards the believers than they are themselves." Alternatively, the word signifies authority and power in the Quran, as personified by the leader of the Muslim community after the Islamic prophet Muhammad, a reference to the Quranic term (). In particular, the words and occur twice in the Quran, in verses 8:72 and 18:44, but experts disagree about their correct vocalization.
Verse of
Known in Shia Islam as the verse of (or ), verse 5:55 of the Quran is translated by The Study Quran as
This matches the Shia translation, and also appears similar to that provided by the Islamicist Hermann Landolt. However, the Sunni translation of the verse is, "Your (real) friends are (no less than) God, His Messenger, and the believersthose who establish prayers and pay and () they bow down humbly (in worship)." Responsible for their difference is the Arabic conjunction , which can mean 'while', as in the Shia translation, or may mean 'and', as in the Sunni translation.
Occasion of revelation
Jewish tribes
The verse of was revealed in Medina. As for the occasion of its revelation, the Sunni exegetes Ibn Kathir () and al-Kashani () report that the verse was revealed after Ubada ibn al-Samit broke his ties with the Jewish clans and pledged his allegiance solely to Muhammad. Alternatively, the Sunni exegeses and consider this verse a response to some companions of Muhammad who complained about their social ostracization by certain Jewish tribes. Finally, the Sunni historian Ibn al-Kalbi () believes that the verse was revealed when Abd-Allah ibn Salam and some others converted to Islam and the Jewish tribes subsequently revoked their contract of clientage ().