ISRA Academy Podcast

How the Prophet ﷺ Built a Civilisation in Madinah - With Dr Suleyman Sertkaya

Dr Suleyman Sertkaya explores the foundational steps taken by the Prophet ﷺ after the Hijrah, showing how Madinah was shaped through faith, community, education, economic independence, social responsibility and ethical leadership. This talk offers powerful lessons for Muslims today on how prophetic guidance can shape not only individual character, but also families, communities and society.
Timestamps:00:00 Foundational Steps After the Hijrah04:25 Mosque, Brotherhood and Education in Madinah12:40 Declaring Madinah a Sacred Sanctuary19:40 Establishing an Independent Marketplace46:00 Laying the Foundations of Civilisation

Can We Stop Time and Ageing - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi

Can we stop time and ageing? In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr Zuleyha Keskin and Dr Omer Atilla Ergi explore one of humanity's deepest questions, weaving together modern science and Islamic wisdom to uncover what time truly means, and what our faith teaches us about its inevitable passage.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction 01:00 Time cannot be defined 07:49 Theoretically you can go forward in time 10:17 Two reasons why ageing occurs 12:05 Nothing is eternal 14:11 Death is a blessing

Scientists Accept Invisible Forces, So Why Not God? - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi

Astrophysics accepts the existence of unseen realities through their observable effects. Dark matter, gravity, black holes and many cosmic phenomena are not directly seen, yet their impact is measurable and scientifically accepted.
If this method of reasoning is considered valid in physics, then on what grounds is the existence of God rejected?
In this thought-provoking discussion, Dr Zuleyha Keskin speaks with Dr Omer Atilla Ergi about science, metaphysics, causality, and the rational basis for belief in God.

Diagnosed at 33: What Cancer Taught Her - With Angelica-Hazel

In this deeply moving conversation, Dr Zuleyha Keskin sits down with Angelica-Hazel, a women’s health and fertility nutritionist, mother, and breast cancer survivor, to explore her journey through illness, faith, and healing.
From the moment of her diagnosis to navigating life as a convert, Angelica shares a powerful and honest reflection on what it means to face one of life’s greatest tests. We speak about loss, resilience, family, and the unexpected gifts that can emerge through hardship.
Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:10 Moment of breast cancer diagnosis08:00 How did being a convert impact how you dealt with cancer?15:10 “I lost my mum to breast cancer a few months ago”15:54 The beautiful gift18:02 Dealing with the challenges of being a convert23:30 Your relationship with your husband and children post-cancer

5 Proofs Afterlife Exists - With Prof Mehmet Ozalp

In this podcast, Prof Mehmet Ozalp and Dr Zuleyha Keskin explore five Qur’anic proofs for the existence of the afterlife. While many assume belief in the Hereafter is purely based on faith, the Qur’an repeatedly invites us to reflect, question, and recognise the signs that point to life after death. What are these proofs? And how do they strengthen conviction in the unseen? 
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction00:26 – Why talk about proofs of the afterlife?03:57 – Why classical scholars focused less on rational proofs06:19 – Proof 116:12 – Proof 218:53 – Proof 322:20 – Proof 426:43 – Proof 5

Strangers Became Brothers Overnight | The Story of Mu’akhāt - With Dr Suleyman Sertkaya

In this episode, Dr Suleyman Sertkaya explores the powerful moment in Madinah when the Prophet ﷺ established mu’ākhāt, pairing the Muhājirūn and Anṣār in a bond of true brotherhood. Discover how strangers became family overnight—and what this profound model of unity, sacrifice, and care means for us today.

Are We Responsible For Our Thoughts - With Dr Omer Atill Ergi

In this podcast, Dr Zuleyha Keskin speaks to Dr Omer Atilla Ergi about thoughts, especially unwanted thoughts. Are we responsible for them? Are we bad people because we have negative thoughts. This podcast explores these questions plus many more.

How To Become A Spiritual Athlete - With Prof Mehmet Ozalp

In this podcast, Dr Zuleyha Keskin sits down with Prof Mehmet Ozalp to explore one of the most profound concepts in Islamic spirituality: the journey of the nafs.
Using the powerful analogy of a spiritual athlete, they unpack the 7 levels of the nafs—showing how each stage reflects a different level of inner struggle, awareness, and transformation. This conversation moves beyond theory, offering a deeply reflective framework for understanding the self and striving towards spiritual excellence.
📌 Timestamps00:00 Introduction00:33 What is the nafs?03:07 Where is the nafs located?09:57 Where the nafs becomes an issue14:29 The feature of nafs al-ammarrah17:24 We are spiritual athletes19:00 Nafs al-lawwamah signals commitment20:35 The biggest hurdle is nafs al-lawwamah21:48 Nafs al-mulhimah is when the heart truly opens26:50 Nafs al-mutmaʾinnah – the good amateur spiritual athlete34:44 Nafs al-radiyah – transcending good and evil36:22 Nafs al-mardiyyah – the self Allah is pleased with38:07 Nafs al-kamilah – reaching full potential

They Gave Up Everything for Knowledge | People of Suffa - With Dr Suleyman Sertkaya

In this talk, Dr Suleyman Sertkaya explores the lives of the People of Suffa among the earliest devoted companions who dedicated themselves to learning in the time of the Prophet (pbuh). Through their story, we gain insight into sacrifice, knowledge, community, and the pursuit of a life centred around faith. This session reflects on their struggles and the lasting impact they had on the transmission of knowledge in Islam. 📌 Timestamps00:00 Recap04:05 The Role of Suffa04:22 The Location of Suffa09:20 The Population of Suffa14:53 The Companion of Abu Huraira17:19 The Struggle of Hunger18:35 The Miraculous Bowl of Milk20:40 The Value of the People of Suffa27:45 The House of the Guest28:48 The Father of the Destitute29:53 The Verses for Suffa38:44 The Knowledge of the People43:35 The Lasting Impact of Suffa

From Revelation to Preservation: The Story of the Qur’an - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi

In this podcast, Dr Omer Atilla Ergi explores the concept of divine revelation, examining its different forms, the transmission of earlier scriptures, and the unique preservation, structure, and timeless message of the Qur’an.
📌 Timestamps00:00 Introduction00:36 The oldest copy of the Qur’an01:37 Types of revelations03:50 Verses of creation08:00 Animal instincts11:50 Divine guidance13:32 Prophetic inspiration14:40 Holy books of revelation16:53 Scrolls of revelation17:42 The superseding of the Qur’an25:00 The structure of the Qur’an30:28 The timelessness of the Qur’an31:00 Original copies of the Qur’an32:39 The themes of the Qur’an