Hafaza Angels: 7/24 surveillance and protection of souls
In Islamic aqeedah, hafaza angels exist and they’re “nesting” on each shoulders of every human being. Hafaza and hafizeen are derived from the word “hafiz”. The primary meaning of the word hafiz is “the one who memorizes”. For instance, if a person reaches the honor of memorizing entire chapters of Holy Quran, he is considered as “hafiz”. This word also has a meaning of “protection and preservation”.
In some literatures, hafaza angels of Islam is explained as “guardian angels”. Sure, there is such responsibility of these two angels but there is one fundamental difference of hafaza angels from “guardian angels” as explained in Holy Quran.
And this difference supports a good cause for the essential belief system of Islam, one-ness of Allah, in other words, tahwed.
So according to Islamic aqeedah, these hafaza angels not only guard human beings but they also “preserve a written archive of every action one commits during the course of their entire life”.
In some popular “new age faith” interpretations, guardian angels are there to protect humans from every kind of evil, no matter whatever person does. In such concept, it is omitted that these angels “record” everything we do. Maybe this is due that human beings don’t wish to comprehend the fact that we all belong to Allah(j.j) and we are responsible for our every action.
We are not some spoiled super heroes that we can invoke extra protection whenever we want.
What is so unique and robust in Islamic aqeedah is that the concept of “responsibility” and “ethical manners” is emphasized even through the explanation of these “hafaza” angels.
Yes, by the order and will of Allah(j.j), hafaza angels will/can guard you but also keep in mind that they record every action you commit.
Human souls have become otiosely lazy in modern times and probably due to selfishness, they want to acknowledge “guardian angels” as personal bodyguards but not “archive masters” of every action-list happening during our entire life. Because most humans don’t want to feel responsible for their action and consider this foolish frivolity as “freedom”
Maybe to stress the fact that no angel can’t have any power or authority to guard any human form, it is mentioned in Holy Quran that it is only Allah(j.j) who can decide if angels can protect humans or not. This is related with tahwed concept in Islam and prohibits apotheosizing angels.
For each (such person) there are (angels) in succession, before and behind him: They guard him by command of Allah. Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it (their state of goodness) themselves (by committing sins and being ungrateful and disobedient to Allah). But when (once) Allah willeth a people’s punishment, there can be no turning it back, nor will they find, besides Him, any to protect. (Ar-Rad 13/11)
As we see in this ayat it is stressed that angels can protect humans only “by the command of Allah(j.j)” and apart from protection, they “write down” everything we do.
But verily over you (are appointed angels) to protect you,-
Kind and honorable,- Writing down (your deeds):
They know (and understand) all that ye do. (Al-Infitar 82/10-12)
They write down our actions and these written form will be presented to us as a “book” on the judgement day so every human being will receive “fair and proper legal assessment”.
And the Book (of Deeds) will be placed (before you); and thou wilt see the sinful in great terror because of what is (recorded) therein; they will say, “Ah! woe to us! what a Book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof!” They will find all that they did, placed before them: And not one will thy Lord treat with injustice. (Al Kahf 18/49)
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