Al-Ḥafīẓ - The Preserver

Al-Ḥafīẓ is one who preserves very many things. That can be understood only by understanding the meaning of preservation, which may be taken in two ways.

One of them is the permanence of the existence of all existing things, as well as their continuation, which is the opposite of (their) annihilation. God Most High is the preserver of the heavens, the earth, the angels and all things in existence, regardless of whether the period of their continuation be long or short such as animals, vegetation and other similar things.

The second way (in which this term can be understood), and it is the better way, is (in terms of) keeping from each other (natural) enemies and those things that are inherently opposites. Here I am referring, (for example), to the mutual enmity that exists between water and fire which certainly are natural enemies. For either the water extinguishes the fire, or else the fire by prevailing causes the water to change (in such a way) that it becomes steam and then air.

The contrast and natural hostility are (also) obvious between heat and cold, for the one overcomes the other. An identical situation exists between dampness and dryness and the rest of the earthly bodies which are composed of hostile elements.

The preserver among men is the one who preserves his limbs and his heart. He (also) preserves his religion from the assault of anger, the attraction of appetite, self-deception and the delusion of Satan. For (man) is on the edge of a crumbling bank, ever surrounded by these dangers (which) lead to ruin.