[Tainlyferfara]

(1) A person having a close connection with Allah will be called his friend. That is Wali. There is only one condition to be a Wali. To give up sins. (Additional info: A Wali is one who does not commit Major sins and does not insist upon minor sins.)
(2) To increase the stature further, to be a greater Wali, indulge in obedience, that is, do acts of obedience.
(3) There is still an higher stature to Wali. Wali is a friend. Ibraheem Khaleelullah (AS) means that Hazrat Ibraheem (AS) is a friend of Allah. The higher stature is of beloved. That is Habeeballah (PBUH). So to go rise even further you should indulge in those acts that resemble the actions of Noble Prophet (PBUH). So that we start resembling him. These actions are Sunnah.

Naqsh-e-qadam Nabi (PBUH) ke hain jannat ke raaste,
Allah se milate hain sunnat ke raaste.

Foot steps of Prophet(PBUH) is the route to Jannah
The path of Sunnah leads you to Allah

(Hakim Akhtar Sb (DB))
Wassalam