Al-Hafiz
Allah is Al-Hafiz, the guardian and protector of everything. He preserves all creations and remembers all that has ever been and all that is. He is the protector of The Quran and vowed to safe guard it from being changed or perverted as was the case with previous scriptures.
From the root h-f-z which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to preserve, guard, protect to keep, retain, take care of, tend to prevent from perishing or becoming lost to be watchful, mindful, attentive, vigilant.
But if they turn away, [say], “I have already conveyed that with which I was sent to you. My Lord will give succession to a people other than you, and you will not harm Him at all. Indeed my Lord is, over all things, Guardian.” (Quran 11:57)
And he had over them no authority except [it was decreed] that We might make evident who believes in the Hereafter from who is thereof in doubt. And your Lord, over all things, is Guardian. (Quran 34:21)
And those who take as allies other than Him – Allah is [yet] Guardian over them;
and you, [O Muhammad], are not over them a manager. (Quran 42:6)
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Name: |
Al-Hafiz |
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Al-Hafiz in Arabic: |
الحَفِيظ |
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Arabic root: |
(ح ف ظ) |
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Al-Hafiz meaning in English: |
The Guarding One, The All-Protecting |
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Al-Hafiz meaning in Urdu: |
حفاظت کرنے والا، نگہبان |
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Appearance in the Quran: |
6 times |
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Tasbeeh: |
Frequently recite Ya-Hafiz for protection and security from being harmed. |
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Asma ul Husna with the similar meaning: |
Al-Muhaymin (The Guardian) Ar-Raqib (The Watchful One) Al-Waliy (The Protecting Associate) Al-Hadi (The Guide, The Way) |
The name Al-Hafiz defines the attribute of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) of being the only protector and the guarding one. He (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is not just the protector of humans but of everyone and everything in this Universe. Allah is the only One who is the preserver of the Quran till the Day of Judgement; He is the guarding one who ensures the planets move around their orbit; he is the protector of us from any harm that surrounds us and many things that are beyond the imagination and understanding of a human being.
Al-Hafiz is derived from the root letters (ح ف ظ), which means to protect, preserve, or guard. It refers to the One who is the most trustworthy and is always attentive towards the needs of His creations. The name Al-Hafiz can have different aspects through which we can understand the attributes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). It can mean someone who protects us and keeps us safe and it can also mean someone who remembers everything and is the one who keeps everything in this universe intact. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has preserved the Quran and He is the sole protector of the Book. It also refers to our trust in Allah and His planning for us.
In Surah Al-Hajr, Allah says:
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ
Translation: “Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its Guardian.” (Quran 15:9)
On another occasion in Surah Hud, Allah says;
إِنَّ رَبِّي عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَفِيظٌ
Translation: “Indeed my Lord is, over all things, Guardian.” (Quran 11:57)
In Surah As-Shuraa, Allah says:
وَالَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهُ حَفِيظٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَمَا أَنتَ عَلَيْهِم بِوَكِيلٍ
Translation: “And those who take as allies other than Him - Allah is (yet) Guardian over them; and you, (o Muhammad), are not over them a manager.” (Quran 42:6)
We call upon Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) for everything, be it a time of grief or trouble; it is Allah we know who will help us and bring us out of the situation. In the case of happiness, we know it is Allah who brought these good times on us and we thank Him and praise him for the blessings He (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) bestowed upon us.
We have Asma ul Hasna, which are the beautiful names of Allah, each defining a unique attribute of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) to connect with him more deeply. We can use these names as tasbih to recognize Allah by those names and use them in our special duas to call upon Allah by those attributes. We know He listens to us every time we call upon us and He loves to be called upon by His beautiful names.
Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) says in the Quran;
“And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them…” (Quran 7:180)
In a Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ), Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)said:
“There are ninety-nine names of Allah, he who commits them to memory would get into Paradise. Verily, Allah is Odd (He is one and it is an odd number) and He loves odd numbers. And in the narration of Ibn Umar (the words are): he who enumerated them.” (Sahih Muslim 2677a)
The name Al-Hafiz points to the attribute of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) that He is the sole guardian of this world and everything around it and beyond it. He is the one looking after the planet and what's in it and the only One looking after the planets, stars, angels, and those aboard this world. So, it's not just about protection but looking after every aspect.
The name Al-Hafiz also directs us to the attribute of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) who remembers everything. He is the One who preserves everything, be it every letter of the Quran or anything that we say or do; He has preserved everything.
This beautiful name makes us understand its deep meaning and conveys the attributes of Allah to know Him better. Allah says in the Quran:
فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقَدۡ أَبۡلَغۡتُكُم مَّآ أُرۡسِلۡتُ بِهِۦٓ إِلَيۡكُمۡۚ وَيَسۡتَخۡلِفُ رَبِّي قَوۡمًا غَيۡرَكُمۡ وَلَا تَضُرُّونَهُۥ شَيۡـًٔاۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٍ حَفِيظٞ
Translation: “But if they turn away, (say), ‘I have already conveyed that with which I was sent to you. My Lord will give succession to a people other than you, and you will not harm Him at all. Indeed my Lord is, over all things, Guardian.” (Quran 11:27)
Al-Hafiz is directed to Allah, the Preserver of all things, and He is the sole Guardian. The Preserver can be referred to as being mindful, vigilant, and keeping everything intact, while The Guardian can refer to as protection and safeguarding.
Calling upon Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) repeatedly reminds us of Allah’s power and that He is the only One we can call upon anything for anything. In times of hardship, call upon Allah as Ya-Hafiz to ask for protection and guidance. This will increase your faith, make a deeper connection with Allah, and bring for you Allah’s guidance and protection.
In Surah Al-Mai’da, Allah says:
وَاللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ النَّاسِ
Translation: “And Allah will protect you from the people.” (Quran 5:67)
We can also incorporate Ya-Hafiz in our daily duas to ask for protection from Hellfire, torments of the grave and the world. In a Hadith reported by Umme Habiba (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا);
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Whoever observes the practice of performing four Rak’ah before Zuhr prayer and four after the Zuhr prayer, Allah will shield him against the fire (of Hell).”
To recite the name of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), every time is the perfect time. You can do it first thing in the morning to seek the protection of Allah upon starting your day and the last thing in the night to seek protection from Allah before falling asleep can be a great way to remember Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) for His attributes of being our Guardian and sole Protector.
It is narrated by Ibn Abbas (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you…” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2516)
Reciting the name of Allah as Al-Hafiz makes you acknowledge His role as a guardian, protector, and preserver. You can incorporate this name in your daily life by reciting it in the morning and evening for protection, especially reciting it during times of hardship, conflict, travel, or anything when you feel you need the Almighty to protect you. Just believe in the Divine power and He (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) will be your Hafiz in every step of life.
In Surah Saffat, Allah says:
وَحِفْظًا مِّن كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ مَّارِدٍ
Translation: “And as protection against every rebellious devil.” (Quran 37:7)
Those who memorize the Quran by heart are known as Hafiz. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has given this honor to humans so that they can learn and memorize the Quran. We can name our children after Al-Hafiz to seek Allah’s blessings on our children.
Al-Hafiz highlights the attribute of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) as The Guardian and the Protector. There are a few more names that state Allah as The Guardian and the Protector. Here are the other names:
Al-Muhaymin (The Guardian)
Ar-Raqib (The Watchful One)
Al-Waliy (The Protecting Associate)
Al-Hadi (The Guide, The Way)
In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) called Himself Al-Hafiz around six times, and the root letters are used around 44 times in the Quran. Al-Hafiz tells us that He is not just our protector but is aware of every minute thing that happens in this universe and beyond.
In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says;
وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ
Translation: “His Kursi extends over the Heavens and the Earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the most High, the Most Great. (Quran 2:255)
In Surah Ar-Ra’ad, Allah says:
لَهُ مُعَقِّبَاتٌ مِّن بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ يَحْفَظُونَهُ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ
Translation: “For each one is successive (angels) before and behind him who protect him by the decree of Allah.” (Quran 13:11)
It is narrated by Hazrat Ayesha (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا) that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Such a person as recites the Quran and masters it by heart, will be with the noble righteous scribes (in Heaven). And such a person exerts himself to learn the Quran by heart, and recites it with great difficulty, will have a double reward.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 4937)