الحفيظ
Another related name is Al-Haafiz.
Some of the verses of the Holy Quraan which have this beautiful name of Allah are from surah Hood 57, Sabaa 21, Al-Anbiyaa 82. Their English translation is:
Surah Hood (Hud) 57:
57. 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.”
Surah Sabaa, 21:
21. And he (Iblis Satan) had no authority over them, except that We might test him, who believes in the Hereafter from him who is in doubt about it. And your Lord is a Hafiz over everything. (All Knower of everything i.e. He keeps record of each and every person as regards deeds, and then He will reward them accordingly).
Surah Al-Anbiyaa, 82:
82. And of the Shayatin (devils) (from the jinns) were some who dived for him, and did other work besides that; and it was We Who guarded them.
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Allah has the Quality of protecting everything that needs and deserves protection. This protection can be explained under two headings:
1. Allah preserves and remembers all of the information and knowledge about everything and being. In other words Allah does not forget anything. As Allah said in surah Maryam verse 64, the translation of the verse is:
64: [Jibriel said], “And we [angels] descend not except by the order of your Lord. To Him belongs that before us and that behind us and what is in between. And never is your Lord forgetful -
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Allah keeps the actions /deeds of all people protected from any loss. Allah appointed special angels called Kiraaman kaatibeen (the honorable writers) to make record of all good and bad actions and sayings/words of each and every person along with their intention behind the words/actions, and keeps all those records safe and protected from any change or loss. This protection of the actions/words recorded is to encompass the open and hidden actions of the slaves/servants. These books of deeds are kept safe in the Lohi Mahfooz for the Day of Accounting when everyone shall be rewarded or punished with justice according to everyone’s book of deeds.
2. Allah protects HIS creation from the heaven to the earth so that no harm happens to them as Allah said in surah Al-Baqarah, 255, the English translation is:
(2:255) Allah, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting by Whom all subsist, there is no god but He.278 Neither slumber seizes Him, nor sleep;279 to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth.280 Who is there who might intercede with Him save with His leave?281 He knows what lies before them and what is hidden from them, whereas they cannot attain to anything of His knowledge save what He wills them to attain.282 His Dominion283 overspreads the heavens and the earth, and their upholding wearies Him not. He is All-High, All-Glorious.284
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[This Verse 2:255 is called Ayat-ul-Kursi.]
(The underlined portion of the verse means Allah is protecting all of HIS creation and is not tired due to all that work.)
Allah Almighty is holding up the heavens in high position and is protecting them from falling down on the earth. Allah said in surah Al-Hajj, 65 (the translation is):
65. See you not that Allah has made subservient unto you (mankind) all that is on the earth, and the ships that sail through the sea by His Command? He withholds the heaven from falling on the earth except by His Leave. Verily, Allah is, for mankind, full of Kindness, Most Merciful.
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Allah is protecting the Holy Quraan from changing as Allah said in surah al-Hijr, 9 (its English translation is):
9. Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Quran) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption).
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So no change was possible in the text of the Holy Quraan in the last more than 1441 years and shall not happen in future.
Also Allah protects His creation (human beings) This protection is, (a) common to Muslims and non-Muslims as well as to our food, water and air. There is too much to write but due to shortage of time, only a few examples:
Our tongue in between the rows of teeth, remains safe from the chewing of teeth!
Oxygen in the air is restored and preserved for our breathing every day by photosynthesis in the green leaves of trees. If this was not done, oxygen would finish and we all would be dead!!!
Stomach releases HCl (Hydro Chloric Acid) for the digestion of all food but the muscular wall of the stomach itself is safe from getting digested!!!
(b). Also there is special protection from Allah for Allah’s friends (awliyaa). Allah protects their faith and good actions as well as their physique, property and wealth. They try themselves and pray to Allah for protection. Allah praises them for their attempts and protects them here and in the hereafter.
We must always pray to Allah to protect our faith of Islam and our Islamic actions as well as to protect us from diseases, accidents and harmful animals etc. Also we must pray to Allah to protect our homes, property and lawful wealth.
