Tawalli "Loving the Ahl al-Bayt" (Arabic: تولّي), is a part of the Twelver Shī‘ah Islām Aspects of the Religion and is derived from a Qur'anic verse.

That is of which Allah gives the good news to His servants, (to) those who believe and do good deeds. Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for (my) near relatives; and whoever earns good, We give him more of good therein; surely Allah is Forgiving, Grateful.^{[Quran 42:23]}

Furthermore, the Sunni and Shī‘ah Hadith of the Event of the Cloak is used to define who is Muḥammad's near relatives.

Verily, "Al-wilayah" (guardianship), "Al-tawalli" (allegiance), and "Al-muwalat" (being loyally devoted) are all from the same root. Al-Wilayah is support, love, honor, respect, and being with the beloved outwardly and inwardly.^[1] Al-Muwalat is taking someone as a guardian (mawla).^[2] As for at-tawalli, it is the absolute allegiance, meaning giving complete love and support to the one (mutawalla) allegiant to, and following his path and way of life.^[3]

Tawalli is considered one of the branches of religion among the Shia and one of their practical duties. It signifies systematic, intellectual, and political integration of the Muslim individual in all fields with the divine leaders and Imams. They believe that every sane, adult Muslim must take Allah, His Messenger, and the Imam as guardians for themselves, and to draw nearer to them through obedience, piety, and good deeds, binding themselves and their lives to them and supporting them. And this is part of the reward of the Muhammadan message.^[4] As stated in the Quran in Surah Ash-Shura: "This is what Allah announces to His servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say, 'I do not ask you for any reward for it except affection for [my] relatives.' And whoever earns a good deed, We will increase good for him in it. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving, Appreciative" [Ash-Shura:23].

Thus, allegiance to the Messenger of Allah and his household, their love and affection, is a divine requirement, and their loyalty is the loyalty to Islam and the message, and it is a safeguard against deviation and following desires. It is an important element and a fundamental component of faith and a contributing action in establishing belief not just at the level of slogans and words, but in behavior and action.^[5][6]

• Ancillaries of the Faith
• Walayah