ISRA Academy Podcast

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.

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.

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

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

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

In this podcast, Dr Omer Atilla Ergi and Dr Zuleyha Keskin explore the assumptions people bring to the question of belief, the limits of empirical testing, and the philosophical challenges involved in denying the existence of a Creator. They also discuss common arguments, the nature of disbelief, and how analogies from art and design help us reflect on the deeper questions behind existence.

Does quantum physics really show that the universe came from nothing? In this conversation, Dr Zuleyha Keskin speaks with Prof Mehmet Ozalp and Dr Omer Atilla Ergi about one of the most debated questions in science and theology.

In this podcast, Dr Zuleyha Keskin speaks with Nadia El-Mouelhy, Director of the Halal Certification Authority, about her groundbreaking survey of over 1,000 Muslims across Australia. Together they unpack the findings of the newly released Halal Report, exploring how our community understands halal and what influences consumer choices.

Why do we suffer? Is there a deeper purpose behind it? In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr Zuleyha Keskin and Prof Mehmet Ozalp explore the hidden dimensions of pain, from the role of the nafs and intention to the impact of modern life. This episode invites you to rethink suffering, not as something purely negative, but as something that may carry meaning, protection, and even transformation.

In this podcast, Dr Suleyman Sertkaya explores the building of the first mosque in Madinah and the central role it played in the formation of the early Muslim community. From the moment the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ arrived in Madinah, the masjid became the spiritual, social, and administrative heart of the new society.
This session reflects on the construction of Masjid al-Nabawi, the individuals who served within it, the establishment of the adhān, and the many functions the mosque fulfilled in the life of the Prophet ﷺ and his companions. Through these events, we gain insight into how the mosque helped shape a unified and spiritually grounded community.