The Wali (governor) is the person whom the Khalifah appoints as ruler and Amir over a Wilayah (province) in the Khilafah State. .

The territories which the Islamic State rules over would be divided into provinces and each province would be known as a Wilayah. The Wilayah would in turn be divided into districts and each district would be known as Imalah. The person appointed over the Wilayah would be known as the Wali, or an amir, and the person appointed for the Imalah would be known as the amil or the hakim (ruler). .

The ‘Imalah is divided into administrative units, of which each is known as a metropolis (Qasabah), and the Qasabah is divided into smaller administrative units, each known as a quarter (Hayy). The leader of the Qasabah as well as the Hayy is known as a manager; and his work is administrative. .

The Wali is therefore a ruler, for the Wilayah means the ruling. In Al-Muhit dictionary, it has been defined as being the “Imara” (leadership) and the “authority”. Since they are rulers, then it is required that they fulfil the same conditions of the ruler. Thus the Wali must be male, free, Muslim, mature, sane and just, as well as competent in his task. He requires an appointment by the Khalifah or by whoever is appointed on the Khalifah’s behalf. Therefore the Wali can only be appointed by the Khalifah. The origin of the Wilayah or the Imara, i.e. the Walis or the Amirs goes back to the actions of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). It has been confirmed that He (PBUH) appointed Walis over the countries and that he gave them the right to rule over the provinces. He (PBUH) appointed Muadh Ibn Jabal over Al- Janad, Ziyad Ibn Labid over Hadramawt and Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari over Zabeed and Aden. .

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to select his Walis from among those who were fit to rule, and those who had knowledge and were known for their piety. He used to select them from among those who were experts in their job, and who would fill people's hearts with Iman and respect for the State. Suleiman IbnBurayda reported on the authority of his father that he said: .