Al-Hafiz — The Guarding One
الْحَفِيظُ
Name 38 of the ninety-nine. The Preserver, The Protector
Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is Al-Hafiz (in Arabic: ٱلْحَفِيظُ), the guardian and protector of everything.
The root
From the root ha-fa-za (ح ف ظ), 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, and vigilant.
Reflection
Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ has provided the answers to things that threaten our existence and our harmony and taught us how to be protected from them. , the Prophets, may peace be upon them). He tells us to be cautious and avoid the poisons of gambling, alcohol, adultery, backbiting, envy, jealousy, and ignorance. He advocates for charity, lawful marriages, looking after your community, seeking knowledge, become intelligent and useful.
He's not denied us enjoyment and complete detachment from all things. We're encouraged to enjoy what's permissible while keeping our duties and responsibilities. By studying the name Al-Hafeedh, it should inspire us to further rely upon Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. We should seek to mimic this attribute in small ways, to give our best effort to memorize the Qur'an and become a Hafiz.
This is probably too big of a task, so break it down and be a "preserver" of a few small surahs. Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet ﷺ said: "The one who memorized the Qur'an shall come on the Day of Judgment and (the reward for reciting the Qur'an) says: 'O Lord! " So he is donned with a crown of nobility. Then it says: "O Lord!
" So he is donned with a suit of nobility. Then it says: "O Lord! "" [3] We must also try to preserve our deen and our character from being corrupted by sin. The Shaitan will try to pull us in many directions. He will encourage us to get angry about small things, to let down over here, and to give in to some temptations over there.
We must actively fight to preserve our faith. We should also seek to preserve things encouraged in Islam, kindness to one another, love among the community, and keeping the peace. The only justification for fighting is against oppression and tyranny.
Where it appears
[1] Sahih (Darussalam) Jami at-Tirmidhi 2884,[2] Five names: Allah, Al-Hayy, Al-Qayyum, Al-Aliyy, Al-Azeem. However, attributes such as His decree, knowledge, and dominion are also referenced.,[3] Hasan (Darussalam) Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2915