Allah’s name Al-Hafiz came in the Quran 3 times

إِنَّ رَبِّى عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ حَفِيظٌ۬ (هود (

“My Lord is ever-watchful over everything.” (Hud 11: 57)

 وَرَبُّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ حَفِيظٌ۬ (سبأ (

“And your Lord ever-watchful over everything.” (Saba 34:21)

وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ أَوۡلِيَآءَ ٱللَّهُ حَفِيظٌ عَلَيۡہِمۡ)  الشورى (

“And those who take guardians instead of Him, Allah is ever-watchful over them.” (Al-Shura 42:6)

Allah’s Name Al-Hafiz (الحفيظ) is an amplification form of the ability to preserve, maintain and protect.  Perfect preservation requires having complete power, total authority, and full knowledge.  Only Allah can have these qualities Allah is Al-Aleem (العليم) “having full knowledge”, Al-Muhaymin (المهيمن) “having full power and control”, and Al-Raqeep (لرقيب) “being ever-watchful and fully observable”.

Allah’s name Al-Hafiz is very important for all of us because everyone has valuables that he/she would want to preserve and protect.  In fact, people spent more time and effort than the time and effort they spend on acquiring them.   People are concerned about preserving their health, their families, their wealth, their positions, their honor, their relationship, their beauties, etc.

Connecting with Allah, Al-Hafiz, is the only way for us to be relieved from these concerns, emotional stress and worries. Allah, Al-Hafiz is the only One who can guarantee the preservation and the protection of what you want.  Intelligence and care will not ensure the protection of our health, family, honor and wealth from all imminent and looming dangers because none of us has complete power, total authority, and full knowledge to guarantee full protection.  Only Allah, Al-Hafiz “الحفيظ”, does.

Every day, we are subjected to many dangers that can lead to our complete destruction.  How many people of the highest level of intelligence and health became totally incapacitated as a result of a car accident or a stroke?  Who can protect us from the limitless diseases that we are subjected to daily? Who protects you from all these dangers?  It is Allah, “Al-Hafiz “الحفيظ”.   No one else can establish all the barriers necessary to protect you from all these dangers.

A hot pot of tea placed on a counter can accidently fall over a child burning his/her face and body.  A minor mistake can change the life of an entire family.  A minor mistake changes happiness into misery.  We all need to attach ourselves to Allah, Al-Hafiz.   This was clearly understood by Prophet Yaqoob (Jacob) who was concerned about his youngest son and said:

فَٱللَّهُ خَيۡرٌ حَـٰفِظً۬ا‌ۖ وَهُوَ أَرۡحَمُ ٱلرَّٲحِمِينَ (٦٤)

“Indeed, Allah is the best Protector, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.” (Yusuf 12:64)

Allah, Al-Hafiz “الحفيظ”, is the only One who can preserve all what you want to preserve.  Yes, we are instructed to take advantage of the means of protection available to us, but we must rely on Allah for the complete protection.  A man asked the Prophet (PBUH) whether he needs to tie his camel for safety or just rely on Allah’s protection?  The prophet (PBUH) said to him: (اعقلها و توكل) “Tie your camel and rely on Allah”.  Relying on Allah for protection requires taking actions prior to your reliance on Allah.  Ignoring the means to ensure our success is disobedience of Allah’s commands and relying solely on the means is a form of taking associates with Allah (shirk) (من لم يأخذ بالأسباب فقد عصى ، ومن أخذ بها واعتمد عليها فقد أشرك).

Allah, Al Hafiz, reserves and protects many things for mankind to ensure their safety in this life and in the hereafter.

1/ Allah, Al-Hafiz, preserves and protects the Quran; He said:

إِنَّا نَحۡنُ نَزَّلۡنَا ٱلذِّكۡرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ ۥ لَحَـٰفِظُونَ (الحجر (

Indeed, We are Who have sent down the Dhikr (the Qur’an) and surely, We will guard it (Al-Hir 15:9)

2/ Allah, Al Hafiz, preserves the heavens and the earth from destruction to ensure the survival of mankind, Allah says:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُمۡسِكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ أَن تَزُولَاۚ وَلَٮِٕن زَالَتَآ إِنۡ أَمۡسَكَهُمَا مِنۡ أَحَدٍ۬ مِّنۢ بَعۡدِهِۚۦۤ إِنَّهُ ۥ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورً۬ا (فاطر:41].

Indeed, Allah upholds the heavens and earth from ceasing (their function) and if they were to cease, there is none who can uphold them back other than Him. Surely, He is Ever-Forbearing, Most-Forgiving.” (Fater 35:41)

3/ Allah, Al-Hafiz “الحفيظ”, preserves many things for mankind to make their life on earth safe and comfortable.  As examples:

1. Allah, Al-Hafiz “الحفيظ”, preserves life on Earth by setting a system to purify water through the continuous evaporation and condensation cycles.
2. He preserves life by setting the unique physical property for water to expand as it freezes making frozen water float on the surface protecting the water beneath it from freezing and protecting sea mammals and fish.
3. Allah preserves safety even when some of his creations have annihilation properties towards each other such as water and fire. When water prevails, it extinguishes the fire and when fire prevails water is transformed into steam.  Also, Allah preserves moderation between contradicting conditions such as cold and heat and wet and dry because they are needed for survival.
4. Allah, Al Hafiz, preserves the unique physical and chemical properties of every element to ensure their safe use for the service of mankind.

4/ Allah Al-Hafiz is responsible for preserving the records of all what we do whether good or evil, obedience or disobedience.  Every person will be presented with his/her record on the day of Judgement.  Allah assigned angels to each of us to prepare his/her records.  Allah says:

وَإِنَّ عَلَيۡكُمۡ لَحَـٰفِظِينَ (١٠) كِرَامً۬ا كَـٰتِبِينَ (١١) يَعۡلَمُونَ مَا تَفۡعَلُونَ (الانفطار(

“But verily, over you there are watchers (appointed angels) (10) Who are noble writers (of your deeds), (11) They know all that you do.” (Al-Infitar 82:10-12)

5/ Allah, Al-Hafiz, does not only assign angels to everyone to record all his/her deeds, but He also assigns angels to protect us from harms. Allah says:

لَهُ مُعَقِّبَاتٌ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ يَحْفَظُونَهُ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ [الرعد]

“For everyone, there are angels in succession, in front him and behind him who guard him by the command of Allah.” (Al-Rad 13:10)

وَهُوَ الْقَاهِرُ فَوْقَ عِبَادِهِ وَيُرْسِلُ عَلَيْكُمْ حَفَظَةً {الأنعام:61}.

He is Dominant over His slaves, and He sends guardians (angels) over you.” [Al-Ana’am 6:61]

The number of angels who accompany every person all the time are ten but because they come in shifts, the total number is 20.  (Details are in appendix 1)

6/ Allah Al-Hafiz “الحفيظ” protects you from Satan by teaching you simple action, as He said:

وَإِمَّا يَنْـزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ نَـزْغٌ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ إِنَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ)  الأعراف(

“If any insinuation by Satan instigates you (to disobey Allah), seek refuge with Allah; for He is all-hearing, all-knowing.” (Al-Aaraf 7:200)

7/ Allah, Al-Hafiz “الحفيظ”, will protect your belief by strengthening your faith and providing guidance.   Allah says:

وَالَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْا زَادَهُمْ هُدًى وَآتَاهُمْ تَقْوَاهُمْ  )محمد(

But to those who consent to be guided, He increases their guidance, and bestows on them their piety.” (Muhammad 47:17)

وَيَزِيدُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْا هُدًى) مريم(

“Allah increases guidance for those who are guided” (Maryam 19:76)

Types of Allah’s protections: There are two types of Allah’s protection:  general and special.    The general protection is achieved by the divine creation through the installation of the senses and instincts to ensure survival, and creating what is needed from food, water and reproduction. Allah says:

قَالَ رَبُّنَا ٱلَّذِىٓ أَعۡطَىٰ كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ خَلۡقَهُ ۥ ثُمَّ هَدَىٰ (طه)

“He [Musa (Moses)] said: “Our Lord is the One who gave everything its form and nature, then guided it aright.” (Taha 20:50)

The special protection is granted by Allah, Al-Aziz, to His righteous slaves. This protection is to preserve for them their religion and defend them from outside harm.  (Addition information in Appendix 2) Allah says:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُدَٲفِعُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ‌ۗ  (سورة الحج)،

“Surely, Allah defends those who believe.” (Al-Hajj 22:38)

He also said:

وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِأَعْدَائِكُمْ وَكَفَى بِاللَّهِ وَلِيًّا وَكَفَى بِاللَّهِ نَصِيرًا

“Allah has full knowledge of your enemies: Allah is enough for a Protector and Allah is enough for a supporter.” (Al-Nisaa 4:45)

In a Hadeeth Qudsi, the Prophet (PBUH) said:

الحديث القدسي يوم القيامة يقف عبدان أمام الله عز وجل يقول الله عز وجل لأحدهما : ” عبدي أعطيتك مالاً فماذا صنعت فيه ؟ فيقول : يا رب لم أنفق منه شيئاً على أحد مخافة الفقر على أولادي من بعدي . فيقول الله عز وجل : ألم تعلم بأني أنا الرزاق ذو القوة المتين ؟ إن الذي خشيته على أولادك من بعدك قد أنزلته بهم ـ جعلتهم فقراء ـ ويقف العبد الآخر يقول :  عبدي أعطيتك مالاً فماذا صنعت فيه ؟ يقول : يا رب أنفقته على كل محتاج ومسكين لثقتي بأنك خير حافظاً وأنت أرحم الراحمين ، يقول الله عز وجل : أنا الحافظ لأولادك من بعدك “

“Two men stood facing Allah on the day of Judgment and Allah said to the first: My servant, I have provided money for you what did you do with it?  The man replied: My Lord, I did not spend it; I saved it for my children because I was fearful of their poverty after me.

Allah says: Didn’t you know that I am the provider with ultimate power and authority.  Whatever you have feared of I made it befall on your children and they became poor. 

The second man will face Allah who asks him: My servant, I have provided money for you what did you do with it?  The man replied: My Lord, I spent it on the poor and the needy because I had full confidence that you are the best preserver, and you are the most merciful.   Allah says: I am the protector of your children after you.”

Allah, Al-Hafiz, established a criterion for the parents to ensure the protection of their children, He said:

وَلْيَخْشَ الَّذِينَ لَوْ تَرَكُوا مِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّةً ضِعَافًا خَافُوا عَلَيْهِمْ فَلْيَتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْيَقُولُوا قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا (النساء(

“And let those who are concerned about leaving weak offspring behind and are fearful for them. So let them fear Allah and say what is right.” (Al-Nisa 4:9)

Elements to Adopt in our Character

1/ Protect yourself by being upright and steadfast along Allah’s path (حصن نفسك من المصائب بالاستقامة).  Ensure that Allah, Al-Hafiz “الحفيظ”, is the protector of you and your family by your complete obedience.   Allah’s obedience requires that you preserve the things that He asks us to preserve such as the prayers, your oath, your hearing, tongue, sight and private parts, Allah says:

{حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلَاةِ الْوُسْطَى وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ} [البقرة:238]،

“Preserve the prayers especially the middle prayer and stand up with devotion to Allah.”  (Al-Baqara 2:238)

{قُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ } [النور:30]،

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts.” (Al-Nour 24:30)

وَقُل لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ يَغۡضُضۡنَ مِنۡ أَبۡصَـٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحۡفَظۡنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبۡدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنۡهَا‌ۖ ۖ

“Tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and do not display their adornment except that which is apparent.” (Al-Nour 24:31)

(وَلاَ تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولـئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْؤُولاً) (الإسراء: 36).

“And do not go after of what you have no knowledge.  Surely, the hearing, the sight and the heart, each of these shall be asked about.” (Al-Isra 17:36)

 (وَاحْفَظُواْ أَيْمَانَكُمْ) (المائدة: 89)

“Preserve your oaths.” (Al-Maeda 5:89)

2/ Implement the prophet’s advice to ensure that Allah, Al-Hafiz is watching over your affairs. The Prophet (PBUH) said to Ibn Abbas:

عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ كُنْتُ خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَوْمًا فَقَالَ يَا غُلَامُ إِنِّي أُعَلِّمُكَ كَلِمَاتٍ احْفَظْ اللَّهَ يَحْفَظْكَ احْفَظْ اللَّهَ تَجِدْهُ تُجَاهَكَ إِذَا سَأَلْتَ فَاسْأَلْ اللَّهَ وَإِذَا اسْتَعَنْتَ فَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ الْأُمَّةَ لَوْ اجْتَمَعَتْ عَلَى أَنْ يَنْفَعُوكَ بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَنْفَعُوكَ إِلَّا بِشَيْءٍ قَدْ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ لَكَ وَلَوْ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يَضُرُّوكَ بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَضُرُّوكَ إِلَّا بِشَيْءٍ قَدْ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ رُفِعَتْ الْأَقْلَامُ وَجَفَّتْ الصُّحُفُ (أخرجه الترمذي ، والحاكم،)،

“Young man, I will teach you some words. Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you. If you ask, ask from Allah. If you seek help, seek help from Allah. Know that if the nations gathered to benefit you, they could not benefit you unless Allah has decreed it for you. And if the nations gathered to harm you, they could not harm you unless Allah has decreed it upon you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

3/ Ensure your sincerity in all what you do. Allah protected Yusuf because of his sincerity as Allah said:

كَذَلِكَ لِنَصْرِفَ عَنْهُ السُّوءَ وَالْفَحْشَاءَ إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُخْلَصِينَ )يوسف (

“This We did, turning away evil and shameful deeds: for he was one of Our sincere servants.” (Yusuf 12:24)

4/ Serve as protector for others’ life, wealth, honor, and privacy.  Allah Commands:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا يَسۡخَرۡ قَوۡمٌ۬ مِّن قَوۡمٍ —-‌ۖ وَلَا تَلۡمِزُوٓاْ أَنفُسَكُمۡ وَلَا تَنَابَزُواْ بِٱلۡأَلۡقَـٰبِ‌ۖ — ٱجۡتَنِبُواْ كَثِيرً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ —-  وَلَا تَجَسَّسُواْ وَلَا يَغۡتَب بَّعۡضُكُم بَعۡضًا‌ۚ ۬

“O You who believe, 1) do not let one (set of) people make fun of another. — 2) Do not defame one another.  3) Do not insult by using nicknames. — 4) Abstain from many of the suspicions. — 5) Do not spy on one another. 60 Do not backbite one another” (Al-Hujjurat 49:11-12)

 يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَدۡخُلُواْ بُيُوتًا غَيۡرَ بُيُوتِڪُمۡ حَتَّىٰ تَسۡتَأۡنِسُواْ وَتُسَلِّمُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَهۡلِهَا‌ۚ

“O you who believe, do not enter any houses other than your own homes unless you seek their occupants’ consent and greet them.” (Al-Nour 24:27)     

 The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ( لا تحاسدوا ، ولا تناجشوا ، ولا تباغضوا ، ولا تدابروا ، ولا يبع بعضكم على بيع بعض ، وكونوا عباد الله إخوانا ، المسلم أخو المسلم ، لا يظلمه ولا يخذله ولا يحقره ، التقوى هاهنا – ويشير إلى صدره ثلاث مرات – بحسب امرئ من الشر أن يحقر أخاه المسلم ، كل المسلم على المسلم حرام : دمه وماله وعرضه ) رواه مسلم .

“Do not be envious of one another; do not artificially raise prices against one another; do not hate one another; do not turn one’s back on each other; and do not undercut one another in business transactions. And be, [O] servants of Allah, brethren. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He does not wrong him. He does not fail him [when he needs him]. He does not lie to him. And he does not show contempt for him. Piety is here” – and he pointed to his chest three times. “It is enough of evil for a person to hold his brother Muslim in contempt. All of a Muslim is sacred to another Muslim: his blood, his wealth and his honor.” (Muslim)

Appendix 1.  Number on Angles Accompanying Each Peson

Based on the hadith reported in the tafseer of Imam Al-Tabari and it also reported by Ibn Hajar (ابن حجر في الفتح) and Al-Suiti (السيوطي في الدر المنثور), the number of angels who accompany every person all the time are ten but because they come in shifts, the total number is 20.  Kinanh Al-Adawy (كنانة العدوي) said: ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affaan asked the prophet (PBUH):  O messenger of Allah how many angels are with every slave of Allah. The Prophet (PBUH) said:

حديث رواه الطبري في التفسير بسنده عن كنانة العدوي قال : دخل عثمان بن عفان على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال : يا رسول الله، أخبرني عن العبد كم معه من ملك ؟ قال : ملك على يمينك على حسناتك ، وهو أمين على الذي على الشمال ، فإذا عملت حسنة كتبت عشراً . وإذا عملت سيئة قال الذي على الشمال للذي على اليمين : اكتب، قال : لا، لعله يستغفر الله ويتوب ، فإذا قال ثلاثاً قال : نعم اكتب ، أراحنا الله منه ، فبئس القرين ، ما أقل مراقبته لله ، وأقل استحياءه منا ، يقول الله: مَا يَلْفِظُ مِنْ قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ. وملكان من بين يديك ومن خلفك ، يقول الله : له معقبات من بين يديه ومن خلفه يحفظونه من أمر الله، وملك قابض على ناصيتك، فإذا تواضعت لله رفعك، وإذا تجبرت على الله قصمك . وملكان على شفتيك، ليس يحفظان عليك إلا الصلاة على محمد . وملك قائم على فيك لا يدع الحية تدخل في فيك ، وملكان على عينيك، فهؤلاء عشرة أملاك على كل آدمي ، ينزلون ملائكة الليل على ملائكة النهار، لأن ملائكة الليل سوى ملائكة النهار، فهؤلاء عشرون ملكاً على كل آدمي، وإبليس بالنهار وولده بالليل .

There is angel on your right hand for writing your good deeds, and he has authority over the one on your left. If you do one good deed, he you will write it ten and if you do a bad deed the angel on the left will ask should I write it.  The angel of the right says no, perhaps he will ask Allah for forgiveness and repent.  If the angel on the left asks three times.  The angel on the right will say, yes, write it, may Allah relieve us from him, he is a worst companion, he rarely conscious of Allah and has no shame of us. Allah says: (مَا يَلْفِظُ مِنْ قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ.) “Not even a word can he utter but there is an ever-presence watcher with him.” (Qaf 50:18)

And there are two angels, one on front and one in the back. Allah says: (there are angels in succession, in front him and behind him who guard him by the command of Allah” (له معقبات من بين يديه ومن خلفه يحفظونه من أمر الله).

And there is an angel who holds your stature, if you humble yourself to Allah, he will lift you up, and if you transgress against Allah, he will break you.

And there are two angels on your lips, who will not record anything you say except your praying for Muhammad (الصلاة على محمد).

And one angle standing on your mouth to prevent arthropods and reptiles from entering it.

And there are two angels over your eyes. 

There are ten angels over every human being. The angels of the night descend on the angels of the day because the angels of the night are different from the angels of the day. These are twenty angels assigned to every human being. 

And there is one satin by the day and one by night.

 Appendix 2: Special Divine Protection

The level of Allah’s special protection depends on the person’s level of obedience to Allah. Allah will guide your actions and will protect you from the actions of others.  The Prophet (PBUH) said in Hadith Qudsi that Allah said:

‏عن ‏ ‏أبي هريرة ‏ ‏قال ‏: قال رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏إن الله قال ‏ ‏من عادى لي وليا فقد ‏ ‏آذنته ‏ ‏بالحرب وما تقرب إلي عبدي بشيء أحب إلي مما افترضت عليه وما يزال عبدي يتقرب إلي بالنوافل حتى أحبه فإذا أحببته كنت سمعه الذي يسمع به وبصره الذي يبصر به ويده التي يبطش بها ورجله التي يمشي بها وإن سألني لأعطينه ولئن استعاذني لأعيذنه وما ترددت عن شيء أنا فاعله ترددي عن نفس المؤمن يكره الموت وأنا أكره مساءته )صحيح البخاري (

 “Whosever shows enmity towards my Wali I will declare war against him.  My servant does not draw nearer to me by anything more than what I made obligatory upon him.  And my servant continues to draw near to me with the supererogatory (optional) “Nawafel” works until I love him.  When I love him, I become his hearing that he hears with; his sight that he sees with, his hand that he strikes with, his foot that he walks with. If he asks Me I’ll give him and if he seeks My refuge, I will protect him. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate to take his soul because I know he hates death and I hate to hurt him.” (Bukhari)

Ever person can enter under the shade of Allah, Al-Hafiz, by obedience and the same person can forfeit Allah’s protection by disobedience.   If you are steadfast on Allah’s straight path, you will always be under the protection of Allah and He will guide all your steps and if anyone tries to plot against you, Al-Hafiz “الحفيظ” will protect you and stand in your defense.