"There is no soul but that it has a protector over it." It is recited in two ways: (lamma) with a light [pronunciation of the mim], and (lamma) with a heavy [emphasized] pronunciation. Whoever recites it with the light pronunciation means: 'la 'alayha hafiz' (it surely has a protector), where 'ma' is an expletive/connective particle. Whoever recites it with the heavy pronunciation means: 'illa 'alayha hafiz' (except that it has a protector), meaning: a protector from the angels who guards its deeds.
﴿إِنْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ لَمَّا عَلَيْهَا حَافظ﴾ وَهِيَ تُقْرَأُ عَلَى وَجْهَيْنِ (لَمَا) خَفِيفَة، و (لما) مُثَقَّلَةٌ، فَمَنْ قَرَأَهَا بِالتَّخْفِيفِ يَقُولُ: لَعَلَيْهَا حَافِظٌ وَ (مَا) صِلَةٌ، وَمَنْ قَرَأَهَا بِالتَّثْقِيلِ يَقُولُ: إِلَّا عَلَيْهَا حَافِظٌ، يَعْنِي: حَافِظًا مِنَ الْمَلائِكَةِ يَحْفَظُ عَلَيْهَا عَمَلَهَا.
