The Ability to Memorize

The Ability to Memorize

1985 12 December 16 The Ability to Memorize (285) What the law has to say about bearing witness finds mention in the Quran in the following verse:

“When you contract a debt for a fixed period, put it into writing. And call in two male witnesses from among you, but if two men cannot be found, then one man and two women whom you judge fit to act as witnesses; so that if either of them forgets, the other will remember.” (2:282)

The testimony of two women has been regarded as equal to that of one man. The phrase ‘so that if either of them forgets, the other will remember’, makes it quite obvious that this rule is based on natural ability, rather than on discrimination against the weaker sex. This command sets a value upon memory per se.

This divine injunction has come to be exposed to severe criticism in the last couple of centuries on the basis of the concept that men and women were counterparts rather than complements to one another.

How strange it is then for science to have reached the same conclusions and testify to the truth mentioned in the Quran. Women, in general, have poorer memories than men. The law of witness in Islam is no more than a reflection of this biological fact.

We quote here a part of a news-item which appeared in The Times of India (18 January 1985)

“Men have a greater ability to memorize and process mathematical information than women, but females are better with words, a Soviet scientist says, reports UPI. “Men dominate mathematical subjects due to the peculiarities of their memory,” Dr Vladimir Konovalov told the Tass news agency. “The stronger sex shows greater difficulties in processing and adapting language material.”

Worship, unity and benevolence

1985 12 December 16 Worship, unity and benevolence (54) According to Abu Hurairah, the Prophet mentioned three actions which were especially pleasing to God. “That you should worship God, not associating any partners with Him; that you should cling to His rope, and not be divided among yourselves; and that you should be well-wishing towards those who are responsible for your affairs.”

(Muslim)