To this points the statement of the Master Messenger—His might was mighty—: “You will surely fight for its interpretation (ta'wil) just as I fought for its revelation (tanzil),” and his saying:
“Ali is the Wali of every believer after me; O Allah, ally Yourself with whoever allies with him.” Thus, the word Wali became a distinctive epithet for him and specific to him, to the extent that a sect of the Shi'a is named Al-Mutawallah (the loyalists) in reference to their allegiance and devotion to him, and they believed that his Imamate and Wilayah are among the fundamentals of the religion (usul al-din).
[The Second Verse: “And Allah is more intense in might and more intense in punishment.”] 1
This is an allusion to the extraordinary power, supreme courage, and great onslaught against the enemies that our master possessed. For the word Ba's (might) linguistically means strength and courage, and Tankil (punishment/deterrence) is the verbal noun of Nakkala bihi—with a doubled Kaf—meaning to inflict a punishment upon someone that warns others and makes him an exemplary lesson. All of this applies perfectly to our master, the Commander of the Faithful.