false memories

In 2001, researchers Jacqueline Pickrell and Elizabeth Loftus conducted a fascinating experiment.

They showed participants a fake ad that described seeing Bugs Bunny at the Disneyland theme park. The ad mentioned details like shaking his hand, hugging him, or taking a photo together — as if it were a common Disneyland experience.

Later, when those same people were asked about their childhood trips to Disneyland, many of them confidently claimed to remember seeing Bugs Bunny there. Some even described specific details — how his fur felt, what he said, or where they saw him.

But here’s the thing: that memory was impossible. Bugs Bunny isn’t even a Disney character! Yet somehow, their minds had created a memory out of thin air.

There's a term for this phenomenon; these are called false memories.

Now, think of it this way. If people can falsely be made to remember meeting a cartoon character, imagine how easily your mind can be influenced when someone tells you something about a real person.

Maybe someone says, “That guy’s arrogant. He’s always full of himself.”

At first, you make nothing of it. But later, when you see that person laughing loudly or speaking with confidence, your mind starts connecting the dots. Suddenly, you feel like you noticed their arrogance yourself, even though you never really did.

It’s no longer “I heard they’re arrogant.” Now it’s “I’ve seen it myself.”

This is why Islam warns us to be careful before believing what we hear. Allah says:

Nowadays, social media has made it easier than ever for false stories to spread. A manipulated photo, a misleading headline, or a twisted version of the truth can go viral in minutes.

And once you’ve seen it, your mind might start filling in the blanks — turning what you heard into something you feel like you know.

Friend, it's important to stay informed. It's important to have opinions and speak out against what's wrong. But make sure those opinions are your own — not just borrowed from what others think.

Pause before accepting everything you hear or see. Could it be a false rumor? How trustworthy is the source you're getting it from?

Don’t let assumptions or half-truths shape your view of others. Because once a false belief takes root, it’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s just a memory your mind made up.

Sadly, we’re surrounded by a lot of noise nowadays. With lies and propaganda rampant on social media, it’s easy to feel unsure about what’s real and what’s not.

But that’s okay. Don’t let it overwhelm you.

Allah has made truth the dominant force of our universe (Surah Al-Isra 17:81). When you keep your intentions pure, you’ll find yourself drawn toward what’s right. Trust that feeling — and always stay open to changing your mind when you learn better.

Ps. If false memories intrigue you, check out the movie Inception. It's pretty interesting.