ISRA Academy Podcast

Episodet

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  Why is "Part-Time" Muslim Used? - With Dr Zuleyha Keskin 14.09.2026 16min

  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 out06:54 Everyone can see someone else as a “part-time” Muslim11:48 Labels impact people14:25 Committing sins does not take you outside the religion
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  Raising Muslim Girls in the West - With Dr Zuleyha Keskin 12.09.2026 20min

  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 Introduction00:30 One of the biggest challenges04:36 Being Muslim requires a lot of strength07:58 The challenges are socially more subtle13:55 Your daughter should be able to come to you for anything
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  Responding to Neil deGrasse Tyson: God, Suffering and Evil 07.09.2026 28min

  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 Introduction00:25 Summary of Neil deGrasse Tyson’s main argument01:19 Why Neil deGrasse Tyson’s belief — or lack of belief — matters05:12 Why the question of God and suffering comes up so often07:15 How agnosticism leaves the door open to dialogue11:18 Why is there suffering?16:08 Why do humans experience pain and hardship?21:39 Does God create evil?24:32 The biggest mistake in deGrasse Tyson’s argument
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  Nafs Al-Mulhamah (The Inspired Self) - With Prof Mehmet Ozalp 07.09.2026 34min

  What changes when doing good no longer feels like a constant battle, but begins to come from within? In this episode of our series on The 7 Levels of the Nafs, Prof Mehmet Ozalp and Dr Zuleyha Keskin explore Nafs al-Mulhamah — the Inspired Self. 📌 Timestamps00:00 Introduction03:20 The Qur’anic basis for Nafs al-Mulhamah07:45 Intrinsic motivation at this level10:36 Weight training analogy14:22 Salah at this level20:12 Is Nafs al-Mulhamah explicitly mentioned in the Qur’an?22:35 Why is Nafs al-Mulhamah so important?24:35 The impact of society on reaching higher levels31:30 Why knowledge is so important at this level This episode is part of our series on The 7 Levels of the Nafs, exploring the journey of spiritual purification and inner transformation in Islam.
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  What Existed Before the Big Bang? - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi 03.09.2026 25min

  Dr Zuleyha Keskin speaks with Dr Omer Atilla Ergi about the scientific, philosophical, and theological questions surrounding the beginning of the universe. The conversation explores the limits of current cosmological theories and what the universe’s beginning may imply for deeper questions about creation, causation, and the possibility of something coming from nothing. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction05:43 Scientific answer about before the Big Bang12:02 Theories about the universe are speculative17:01 Stephen Hawking’s discomfort with the Big Bang singularity23:52 Nothing pops into existence from nothingness
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  Can Destiny and Free Will Coexist - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi 31.08.2026 45min

  Can destiny and free will coexist? If everything is already known and determined by Allah, are we truly free to make our own choices? In this episode of the Risale-i Nur Series, Dr Omer Atilla Ergi explores these questions through Said Nursi’s 26th Word (Treatise on Divine Determining), examining the relationship between divine destiny (qadar), human free will and personal responsibility.
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  The Wisdom of Illness and Prophet Ayyub (AS) - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi 30.08.2026 38min

  In this episode of our Risale-i Nur Series, Dr Omer Atilla Ergi reads and explains the Second Flash, reflecting on the story of Prophet Ayyub (AS) and the deeper wisdom behind illness, hardship and patience. A powerful reminder that illness can become a means of spiritual growth, reflection and drawing closer to Allah.
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  Nafs al-Lawwamah (The Self-Reproaching Self) - With Prof Mehmet Ozalp 26.08.2026 45min

  What happens when we begin to recognise our faults, question our behaviour, and hold ourselves accountable? In this episode of our series on The 7 Levels of the Nafs, Prof Mehmet Ozalp and Dr Zuleyha Keskin explore Nafs al-Lawwamah — the Self-Reproaching Self.   📌 Timestamps00:00 Introduction02:52 Three things that bring us into Nafs al-Lawwamah06:28 Why Allah swears by this level of the nafs12:20 Low self-worth and muhasabah14:20 Traps of this level21:46 Three key strategies for dealing with sin24:33 Feeling hypocrisy at this level36:50 If we lapse at this level, there’s still hope41:55 Key take-home messages This episode is part of our series on The 7 Levels of the Nafs, exploring the journey of spiritual purification and inner transformation in Islam.  
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  Why Did the Prophet Fight? Understanding His Military Engagements - With Dr Suleyman Sertkaya 23.08.2026 1h 2min

  Dr Suleyman Sertkaya explores the historical and Qur’anic context behind the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ military engagements in Madinah. The discussion examines why permission to fight was given, the objectives behind military expeditions, and how the Prophet’s actions are often misunderstood when removed from their broader context.   📌 Timestamps 00:00 Foundation steps the Prophet took in Madinah07:56 Muir: The Prophet has a violent personality in Madinah14:55 Many sīrah books focus on battles during the Madinah period22:08 Human beings tend towards adventure and action25:23 The Prophet was guided by revelation: what the Qur’an says41:28 Why was permission given to fight in Madinah?49:57 Objectives of permission to fight52:55 Objectives of sariyyas (expeditions)58:22 Conclusion
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  Satan Challenges the Quran - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi 18.08.2026 43min

  In this episode, Dr Omer Atilla Ergi explores Said Nursi’s Addendum to the Fifteenth Word, where Nursi recounts an inner dialogue with Satan concerning the Qur’an. Through a series of doubts and responses, the discussion examines claims that the Qur’an resembles human speech and that people can produce words similar to it. Timestamps00:00 Introduction03:30 Said Nursi: “Satan whispering into my heart”07:38 Satan: “Think of the Qur’an as neither the word of God nor the word of a human”17:52 Satan: “The Qur’an resembles human speech”33:00 Satan: “People say similar things to the Qur’an”
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  Logical Fallacies in Atheist Arguments - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi 12.08.2026 30min

  In discussions about faith and atheism, the conversation is often shaped not only by evidence, but also by the way arguments are constructed. In this episode, Dr Zuleyha Keskin speaks with Dr Omer Atilla Ergi about several common logical fallacies that frequently appear in arguments against belief in God. Together, they explore how these fallacies influence public discourse and why clear reasoning is essential when discussing questions of faith. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction04:27 Argument from ignorance11:38 Shifting the burden of proof21:56 Nietzsche: As modernity and science advance, belief in God declines25:37 They fight with the God in their imagination Both Dr Omer Atilla Ergi and Dr Zuleyha Keskin teach in the Islamic Studies courses offered by ISRA Academy. For more info: https://www.isra.org.au/uni-courses/
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  The Charter of Madinah: A Solution for Today’s Divided World - With Dr Suleyman Sertkaya 09.08.2026 50min

  More than 1,400 years ago, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ established the Charter of Madinah, bringing diverse religious, tribal and cultural communities together under a shared framework. Dr Suleyman Sertkaya explores its principles of coexistence, religious freedom, cultural autonomy and shared responsibility and argues that this historic document can solve many of the problems we’re facing today.   Timestamps:00:00 Introduction04:16 The last 100 years: turmoil after turmoil15:17 Recognition of every community in Madinah18:47 A timeless and ideal document21:30 Everyone participates24:00 Religious and cultural autonomy for each group25:38 The Prophet ﷺ as mediator rather than judge31:00 Islamic laws are binding upon Muslims only34:25 The Charter as an overarching framework37:15 Recognition of cultural differences and autonomy40:23 Madinah as a protected territory and one ummah46:35 Concluding comments
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  Guide for Youth Part 2 - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi 07.08.2026 35min

  This  episode is part of the Risale-i Nur Series
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  Can Muslims Go To Therapy - With Dr Zuleyha Keskin 04.08.2026 18min

  Mental health is discussed more openly than ever before, yet many Muslims still hesitate to speak about their struggles or seek support. Does experiencing anxiety, sadness or emotional distress mean our faith is weak? And what role can therapy play alongside faith? Timestamps00:00 Introduction00:16 Why some Muslims are ashamed to experience certain emotions03:08 Why Muslims shy away from therapy05:14 Do faith and therapy serve the same purpose?12:02 A message for someone struggling with their mental health This conversation is intended for educational purposes only and should not be taken as personal psychological or medical advice. If you are experiencing persistent or severe distress, please seek support from an appropriately qualified health professional.
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  Guide for Youth Part 1 - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi 03.08.2026 39min

  This episode part of the the Risale-i Nur series.
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  Religion and Science: Friend or Foe? - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi 30.07.2026 26min

  In this episode, Dr Zuleyha Keskin speaks with Dr Omer Atilla Ergi about one of the most enduring questions of our time: are science and religion really in conflict? They explore the historical relationship between faith and scientific inquiry, challenge common misconceptions about Islam and science, and discuss why the deeper we understand the universe, the more profound its mysteries become. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:15 Emergence of naturalism05:03 Many classical scholars were scientists as well10:37 God of everything, not God of gaps14:54 Life is the biggest mystery21:17 God is the author of the Qur’an and the universe
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  Raising Strong Muslim Daughters in the West - With Dr Zuleyha Keskin 27.07.2026 20min

  Raising daughters in a Western context comes with challenges that are not always obvious. In this conversation, Zeynep speaks with Dr Zuleyha Keskin about helping Muslim girls develop the confidence, resilience and inner strength needed to remain grounded in their faith. They discuss the subtle social pressures young Muslim women face, the importance of building trust and creating a relationship in which daughters feel safe speaking openly. Timestamps00:00 Introduction00:30 One of the biggest challenges04:36 Being Muslim requires a lot of strength07:58 The challenges are socially more subtle13:55 Your daughter should be able to come to you for anything
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  The Power of Bismillah - With Prof Mehmet Ozalp 23.07.2026 25min

  In this conversation, Ustadh Ahmet Ozturk speaks with Professor Mehmet Ozalp about the deeper meaning and spiritual significance of Bismillah — “In the name of Allah.” This is a thoughtful conversation on faith, creation, dependence on Allah, and the spiritual power contained in words we often say without fully reflecting on their meaning. Timestamps00:00 Introduction01:00 We don’t say Basmala enough02:34 Basmala is the summary of the Qur’an09:40 Everything cooperates to support life15:43 Humankind being created in the “image of God”20:50 Tapping into the power of God with Basmala
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  If God Needs Nothing, Why Did He Create - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi 15.07.2026 24min

  If God needs nothing, why did He create the universe? And if He is completely self-sufficient, why does He ask us to worship Him? In this episode, Dr Zuleyha Keskin speaks with Dr Omer Atilla Ergi about Allah's absolute independence, the purpose of creation, and why worship benefits us, not God. Together they explore how worship is ultimately a process of purification and spiritual growth. Timestamps00:00 Introduction04:49 It’s the talent that results in an outcome10:10 Humans are agents of need and we compare15:55 Response to “Why does God need our worship?”21:15 Purification process
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  Challenging Questions About God and Evil - With Prof Ozalp and Dr Ergi 10.07.2026 39min

  In this thought-provoking Q&A session, Dr Omer Atilla Ergi addresses some of the most challenging questions surrounding suffering, justice, evil, and the wisdom of Allah. Drawing on Islamic theology and spirituality, he explores how believers can make sense of suffering while maintaining faith, trust, and hope. Timestamps: 00:00 Why do evil people get away with evil?06:48 Why is suffering distributed unevenly?09:44 Advice for someone who feels distant from Allah because of suffering17:33 Why do non-Muslim countries appear more just than Muslim countries?21:21 Why do some people suffer to the point of suicide?28:20 Does a privileged Muslim have it easier than a destitute non-Muslim?35:20 Why are evil people created?