ISRA Academy Podcast

Madinah Before Islam - With Dr Suleyman Sertkaya

What was Madinah like before the arrival of Islam? In this insightful lecture, Dr Suleyman Sertkaya explores the history of Yathrib (later known as Madinah) before the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ migrated there. Discover the tribal dynamics, longstanding conflicts, and social conditions that shaped the city and prepared it for one of the most significant transformations in human history. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:15 Why it was called Yathrib 07:38 Population breakdown of Yathrib when the Prophet ﷺ arrived 11:23 Aws and Khazraj: Two brothers from the same mother and father 20:32 The Buʿāth Wars 30:46 The search for an external person to resolve conflict in Yathrib 43:17 Islam comes into the picture 44:15 Factors contributing to the people of Madinah accepting Islam

Was The Universe Created For Humans Only - With Dr Omer Atilla Ergi

In this first episode of Response to Atheists, Dr Zuleyha Keskin speaks with Dr Omer Atilla Ergi about humanity's place in creation, the possibility of other intelligent beings, and what the Qur'an says about the vast universe around us. 📌 In this episode: 00:00 Introduction 00:31 Introduction to the series 02:10 Does the Qur'an say the entire universe was created just for us? 05:47 We are not alone 09:34 Qur'an 17:70: Favouring humans over most, not all of creation 14:24 Qur'an 65:12: Many earths? 19:31 Why I'm a strong believer in other creations like humans 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/

7 Things Children Need More Than Love - With Dr Zuleyha Keskin

Most parents love their children deeply. However, children need more than love. Drawing on examples from the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and stories from the Qur'an, this talk offers practical insights for parents who want to raise children who feel secure, guided, resilient, and spiritually grounded.

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 Hijrah 04:25 Mosque, Brotherhood and Education in Madinah 12:40 Declaring Madinah a Sacred Sanctuary 19:40 Establishing an Independent Marketplace 46:00 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