Definition
Morphologically, the Arabic word mawlâ also transliterated mawla is composed from the morpheme indicating place, lit. 'noun of place' (ism al-makân) and derives from the root word وَلِيَ waliya (masdar/verbal noun: الوِلایة al-wilâyah) classically translated as "to be proximal" or "to intercede". Thus the semantic translation of mawla most closely resembles the phrase "place of intercession."
Historically, the word mawla has been interpreted to mean either master, protector or supporter; walî, wilâyah, awliya' are its supporting synonyms.
A mawla usually means the one who have more authority over believers than they have on themselves It can also mean a much more elevated person, a "master," "lord," "vicar" or "guardian." (see: maulana, "our lord" or "our master")
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