hafiz

¹ American  

[hah-fiz] / ˈhɑ fɪz /

noun

1. a title of respect for a Muslim who knows the Quran by heart.

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Hafiz ² American  

[hah-fiz] / hɑˈfɪz /

noun

1. Shams ud-din Mohammed, c1320–89?, Persian poet.

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Hafiz ¹ British  

/ ˈhɑːfɪz /

noun

1. Shams al-Din Muhammad (ˌshæmz ælˌdɪn məʊˈhæmɪd). ?1326–90, Persian lyric poet, best known for his many short poems about love and wine, often treated as religious symbols

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hafiz ² British  

/ ˈhɑːfɪz /

noun

1. a title for a person who knows the Koran by heart

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Etymology

Origin of hafiz

First recorded in 1655–65; from Persian, from Arabic ḥāfiẓ literally, “a guard, one who keeps (in memory),” from ḥāfiẓa “to guard, memorize”

Example Sentences

One fighter was a hafiz, someone who has memorized the entire Quran.

From New York Times • Sep. 23, 2021

Around the time Mr. Shekau killed himself, the hafiz began secretly listening to recordings of sermons by imams preaching a completely different, and peaceful, interpretation.

From New York Times • Sep. 23, 2021

In Islam, the hafiz are followers of Muhammed who have memorised the Koran completely.

From Economist • Nov. 3, 2017

He was a hafiz, one who knows the Qur’an by heart, and he sang it in a slow, simple chant.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

“Khuda hafiz, Auntie and Uncle. Thank you for having us.”

From "Amina's Voice" by Hena Khan