ISRA Academy Podcast

Can artificial intelligence ever become conscious? In this conversation, Dr Zuleyha Keskin speaks with Dr Omer Atilla Ergi about human consciousness, the concerns raised by AI, and whether AI could have free will. They also consider what distinguishes a real human from an AI-generated human, and how the development of AI relates to discussions about the signs of the Day of Judgment.

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was not only a messenger and spiritual guide but also an extraordinary educator. His approach to teaching offers valuable lessons for parents, teachers, community leaders and anyone seeking to positively influence others. This video explores the educational approach of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and what his example can teach us about education and character development.

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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.

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 I...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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. 📌 Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 03:20 The Qur’anic basis for Nafs al-Mulhamah 07:45 Intrinsic motivation at this level 10:36 Weight training analogy 14:2...

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 Introducti...

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.

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.

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.   📌 Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 02:52 Three things that bring us into Nafs al-Lawwamah 06:28 Why Allah swears by this level of the nafs...

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 Madinah 07:5...

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. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 03:30 Said Nursi: “Satan whispering into my h...

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...

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.   Tim...

This  episode is part of the Risale-i Nur Series

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? Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:16 Why some Muslims are ashamed to experience certain emotions 03:08 Why Muslims shy away from therap...