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ISRA Academy Podcast

ISRA Academy Podcast

ISRA Academy 55 Episodes Oct 13, 2026

This podcast features conversations with Muslim scholars and thinkers from ISRA Academy and other institutions. They discuss faith, spirituality, and contemporary challenges. The goal is to provide accessible and enriching knowledge aimed at a broad audience.

Episodes

Why the Hereafter Must Exist - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi
Why the Hereafter Must Exist - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi Oct 13, 2026 2291 This episode summarizes the 10th Word of Risale-i Nur, presenting multiple theological arguments for resurrection and the hereafter. It explains how the world’s order, divine sovereignty, wisdom, mercy, and preservation point toward a final judgment and eternal recompense. The speaker condenses a long chapter into key points — the temporary nature of this world, the necessity of a supreme tribunal
How Much Did The Prophet Actually Fight - With Dr Suleyman Sertkaya
How Much Did The Prophet Actually Fight - With Dr Suleyman Sertkaya Oct 9, 2026 4598 This episode examines the military engagements during the Prophet's life with a close look at timing, casualty figures, and strategy. Using historical sources and statistics, the talk reveals that most battles were short, many expeditions involved no fighting, and that the Prophet pursued tactics that minimized bloodshed. The episode contrasts these findings with large-scale modern conflicts and a
Deism Unveiled: Is a God Who Doesn’t Intervene Possible? - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi
Deism Unveiled: Is a God Who Doesn’t Intervene Possible? - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi Oct 3, 2026 1320 Dr. Omer Atilla Ergi explains deism—the belief in a Creator who sets natural laws but does not reveal or intervene—and contrasts it with Islamic teachings on revelation, prophecy, and moral responsibility. The episode discusses philosophical challenges to deism, reasons people are drawn to it, and analogies (robots, children) that highlight the need for guidance and gratitude in a purposeful human
The Prophetic Method of Education - With Dr Suleyman Sertkaya
The Prophetic Method of Education - With Dr Suleyman Sertkaya Sep 30, 2026 1849 In this talk, Dr Suleyman Sertkaya explores the Prophetic method of education, reflecting on how Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught, nurtured and guided those around him with wisdom, compassion and insight. This lecture was recorded as part of ISRA and Quba Mosque’s event, The Legacy of the Beloved: Reflections on the Life and Example of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Religious but Bad Character? When Faith Doesn't Fix Character - With Dr Zuleyha Keskin
Religious but Bad Character? When Faith Doesn't Fix Character - With Dr Zuleyha Keskin Sep 25, 2026 1822 In this episode Dr. Zuleyha Keskin explores why someone can appear religious yet display poor character: from manipulating faith for personal gain to four common reasons: incomplete understanding, focusing on rituals while ignoring character, justifying bad behavior, and blind spots. She emphasises the role of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, prophetic compassion, and seeking honest feedbac
Can Nature Create? - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi
Can Nature Create? - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi Sep 25, 2026 2179 In this episode of our Risale-i Nur Series, Dr Omer Atilla Ergi reads and explains The Twenty-Third Flash from Said Nursi’s The Flashes. Can nature really create? Through Nursi’s powerful arguments, Dr Ergi explores the claims that things come into existence through nature, causes, or by themselves, and why Nursi argues that creation ultimately points to a Creator.
Nafs Al-Mutma'innah (The Tranquil Self) - With Prof Mehmet Ozalp
Nafs Al-Mutma'innah (The Tranquil Self) - With Prof Mehmet Ozalp Sep 22, 2026 1720 What does it look like when the inner struggle begins to settle and the heart becomes more at peace with Allah? In this episode of our series on The 7 Levels of the Nafs, Prof Mehmet Ozalp and Dr Zuleyha Keskin explore Nafs al-Mutma’innah — the Tranquil Self. 📌 Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:47 Three features of this level 10:18 Being in the water analogy 13:42 Muraqaba (self-supervision) and Ih
Dua of Prophet Yunus - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi
Dua of Prophet Yunus - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi Sep 20, 2026 2230 In this episode, part of our Risale-i Nur Series with Dr Omer Atilla Ergi, we explore The First Flash from Said Nursi’s The Flashes, centred on the powerful supplication of Prophet Yunus (Jonah): “There is no deity except You; glory be to You. Indeed, I have been among the wrongdoers.” (Qur’an 21:87) Drawing on Nursi’s reflections, Dr Ergi explores what the story of Prophet Yunus teaches us about
Four Recommendation to Atheists - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi
Four Recommendation to Atheists - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi Sep 17, 2026 1552 In this conversation, Dr Zuleyha Keskin speaks with Dr Omer Atilla Ergi, who offers four recommendations for atheists and those questioning belief in God. Rather than approaching the topic as a debate, Dr Ergi encourages a more reflective and open-minded approach: being objective, examining the emotional dimension of disbelief, considering Pascal’s Wager, and applying Occam’s Razor when thinking a
Why is "Part-Time" Muslim Used? - With Dr Zuleyha Keskin
Why is "Part-Time" Muslim Used? - With Dr Zuleyha Keskin Sep 14, 2026 981 In this conversation, Zeynep Yuksel speaks with Dr Zuleyha Keskin about the label “part-time Muslim.” Why we use it, what we actually mean by it, and whether it is a helpful or healthy way to speak about people’s faith. Timestamps: 00:00 Why do people use the term “part-time” Muslim? 04:26 How faith and practice play out 06:54 Everyone can see someone else as a “part-time” Muslim 11:48 Labels impa
Raising Muslim Girls in the West - With Dr Zuleyha Keskin
Raising Muslim Girls in the West - With Dr Zuleyha Keskin Sep 12, 2026 1236 Raising daughters in a Western context comes with challenges that are not always immediately visible. In this conversation, Zeynep speaks with Dr Zuleyha Keskin about how parents can help Muslim girls develop the confidence, resilience and inner strength needed to remain grounded in their faith. 00:00 Introduction 00:30 One of the biggest challenges 04:36 Being Muslim requires a lot of strength 07
Responding to Neil deGrasse Tyson: God, Suffering and Evil
Responding to Neil deGrasse Tyson: God, Suffering and Evil Sep 7, 2026 1714 In this follow-up discussion, Dr Zuleyha Keskin and Dr Omer Atilla Ergi respond to Neil deGrasse Tyson’s arguments about God, particularly in light of the many questions and comments raised after the first episode. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Summary of Neil deGrasse Tyson’s main argument 01:19 Why Neil deGrasse Tyson’s belief — or lack of belief — matters 05:12 Why the question of God an

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