Allah, Most High, says in the Qur'an:

In this verse, Allah calls our attention to the signs within ourselves, urging us to reflect on the marvels of our own existence. One of the most extraordinary signs within us is memory, which plays a crucial role in shaping our daily lives and interactions with the world. Scientists have discovered many fascinating facts about memory, and these findings align with what Allah has revealed in the Qur'an.

Memory is the reason we are able to navigate our world and perform simple tasks with ease. For example, you know how to find your way back to your home because the location of your house is stored in your memory. When you are at your shop, you can easily recognize where specific items are located, and when you're at school, you can recall the information needed for your exams—all thanks to memory. Without memory, a person would be unable to function meaningfully. They would be unable to learn, teach, or retain knowledge. The Qur'an highlights the power of memory, noting that if Allah had willed, He could have turned human beings into lifeless beings incapable of movement or thought. The verse says:

Memory is not only essential for day-to-day life but is also one of the key elements that differentiate humans from other creatures, allowing for growth, development, and learning.

The brain is capable of storing an immense amount of information. It is estimated that by the age of sixty, the human memory could have stored over sixty billion pieces of information. If all of this knowledge were written down in books, it would require thousands of volumes. Despite all the research on the brain, scientists have yet to determine exactly where memories are stored or how the brain organizes them. Some scientists hypothesize that memory may not have a single physical location in the brain but rather operates through complex psychological processes. Information that we absorb is stored in different parts of the brain, depending on the nature of the information. For example, we have distinct memories for smells, sights, faces, colors, and names. Each of these memories is stored in a specific location within the brain, facilitating easy recollection when needed.

Memory works like a highly efficient system that stores information in distinct categories. When we encounter something familiar, our brain uses a rapid "codification" process to match the new information with what we have already stored. For example, when we smell a perfume, our brain compares it to the ninety-seven different types of scents stored in memory. Once a match is found, we are able to name the perfume or identify it as familiar. This intricate process works not only with smells but also with all types of sensory information, including sights, sounds, tastes, and even abstract concepts such as names and numbers. The way the brain processes and organizes this information is still largely a mystery, but it is clear that it is a profound sign of Allah’s design.

The human brain’s ability to store and recall information is a true marvel, and it stands as one of the many signs of Allah's greatness. Scholars have remarked that human memory functions similarly to a dictionary or instant interpreter, where the brain can quickly retrieve vast amounts of data. The remarkable thing is that the nerve cells responsible for memory remain intact over time. As we accumulate knowledge and experience, these memories become part of who we are. If a person loses their memory, they lose not only the recollection of facts but also their life’s experiences. A doctor with forty years of practice or a lawyer with decades of experience relies on their memory to perform their work. If that memory were lost, all those years of expertise would be erased in an instant.

The concept of memory in the Qur'an highlights the complexity and perfection of creation of the human soul. Our memories are a direct manifestation of His power and wisdom. In the verse:

Allah calls us to reflect on the intricate systems within ourselves, like memory, that testify to His greatness. Memory is one of the most profound signs of Allah’s design within human beings, showing us His meticulous care in creating us with such depth and complexity. It reminds us that we are not merely bodies but beings with a mind and soul that are beyond the comprehension of even the most advanced scientific studies. Thus, the memory that allows us to navigate our lives, learn, and grow is a powerful sign of Allah's creation, reminding us to appreciate the divine wisdom embedded within our own selves.