Does the Qur’an Deny the Crucifixion of Jesus (pbuh)? | With Prof. Louay Fatoohi

In this lecture-style discussion, Professor Louay Fatoohi and I explore a deeply debated topic in interfaith scholarship: Does the Qur’an deny the crucifixion of Jesus (peace be upon him)? We examine the Qur’anic verses traditionally understood as denying the crucifixion, how classical Muslim scholars interpreted them, and why some modern thinkers see these verses as ambiguous. Whether you’re Muslim, Christian, or a student of religion, this discussion aims to bring clarity, respect, and insight.

These are the two papers by Dr. Louay Fatoohi that are available for free.

Louay Fatoohi, “The Non-Crucifixion Verse: A Historical, Contextual, and Linguistic Analysis,” American Journal of Islam and Society 40 (2023), no. 1, pp 39-76. https://www.ajis.org/index.php/ajiss/article/view/3143/2679

Louay Fatoohi, “The End of Jesus’ Life on Earth in the Qur’ān”, Australian Journal of Islamic Studies 8 (2023), no. 1., pp 1-24. https://ajis.com.au/index.php/ajis/article/view/525/235

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What does atheism really offer—philosophically, psychologically, and existentially?

In this calm and respectful discussion, I sit down with a close friend who is an ex-Muslim and an atheist. Instead of debating slogans, we explore the real reasons people reject belief in God, and what follows once faith is abandoned.

We discuss:

Whether atheism is driven by the problem of evil and suffering

The role of absolute freedom and sexual liberation, echoing Aldous Huxley’s famous confession

The difference between militant atheism, agnosticism, and philosophical atheism (Oppy, Mackie)

Dostoyevsky’s haunting claim: “If there is no immortality, everything is permitted”

Whether atheism inevitably leads to nihilism, as Nietzsche predicted

The argument from prior cognitive information and the origin of reason itself

Why religious people and strong communities often report greater happiness

Whether atheism can meaningfully address loneliness, grief, and egoistic suicide

And finally, Pascal’s Wager: is atheism really worth the existential risk?

This conversation is not about winning arguments.

It’s about asking the hardest questions with honesty, empathy, and intellectual integrity.

Whether you are religious, atheist, agnostic, or questioning—this discussion is for you.

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UK immigration rules 2025 have changed everything for international students. From UK student visa changes to work permit and permanent settlement realities — is the UK still worth it after the new immigration rules?

In this honest podcast, we discuss UK student life: expectations vs reality, the new UK immigration rules, their impact on post-study work visas, job opportunities, and permanent settlement (ILR).

With real experiences from a student currently living in the UK, we unpack what agents don’t tell you — rising costs, limited work permits, visa pressure, mental health struggles, and the shrinking pathway to settlement.

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Is morality universal… or is it just a social construct?

In this explosive episode, Ali Zaka dives deep into one of the most controversial philosophical debates of all time: Absolute Morality vs. Relative Morality.

Is something always right or wrong — no matter the culture, time, or situation? Or does morality change from society to society?

From genocide, theft, and justice to culture, religion, and modern social debates — this conversation challenges everything you think you know about right and wrong.

🔥 If morality is relative, can we condemn evil?

🔥 If morality is absolute, what about exceptions?

🔥 Is there a middle ground — or are we lying to ourselves?

This episode isn’t about easy answers.

It’s about asking the questions most people are afraid to ask.

👉 Watch till the end — your moral compass might not survive unchanged.

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What is poetry—mere beauty, or a vessel for uncomfortable truths?

In this episode, Ali Zaka sits down with his mentor and renowned poet, the author of Brave Souls—a powerful poetry collection dedicated to the Palestinians. Together, they explore poetry not just as an art form, but as a moral, emotional, and philosophical act.

This conversation moves through timeless questions:

Is poetry a safe space for difficult truths?

Does a poet have a responsibility to society?

Should poets be teachers—or simply witnesses?

Can beauty coexist with resistance?

And where does poetry stand in a world desensitized by violence and noise?

Drawing on literary theory, lived experience, and contemporary realities, this podcast revisits the age-old debate of Art for Art’s Sake vs Art for Life’s Sake, while reflecting on the courage it takes to write when silence is easier.

A must-listen for poets, writers, students of literature, and anyone who believes words still matter.

You can also watch this episode on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/tAp5ZBxb8UY?si=Bbrm-azVesSsXncU

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In this in-depth podcast, we explore the rise of Artificial Intelligence through both a historical and philosophical lens. Beginning with the early dreams of AI in the mid-20th century—from Alan Turing’s question “Can machines think?” to the early rule-based systems—we trace how AI evolved from a controlled tool into increasingly autonomous systems capable of learning, predicting, and influencing human behavior.

We then turn to the darker side of AI’s history: moments where systems behaved unpredictably, reflected human biases, or “went rogue” due to misalignment between human intent and machine objectives. From flawed recommendation algorithms to chatbots trained on toxic data, these cases raise serious ethical and creative concerns. We discuss how modern AI companies like OpenAI and Google Gemini operate under strict legal and ethical constraints, often facing lawsuits, public scrutiny, and content limitations—what some call “blockades”—to prevent harm and misuse.

A central focus of the conversation is creativity. Is AI enhancing human imagination, or slowly replacing original thought? As educators in language and literature, we critically examine how overreliance on AI is affecting students’ ability to think independently, write creatively, and engage deeply with ideas. We argue that while AI can be a powerful assistant, blind dependence risks intellectual laziness and the erosion of authentic human expression.

The discussion concludes on a hopeful yet cautious note. AI is not our enemy—but neither is it a savior. Humans are not going anywhere, and AI is not going anywhere either. The future lies in learning how to navigate the age of AI wisely: using it as a tool, not a crutch; as a collaborator, not a replacement. If used responsibly, AI and human creativity can coexist—and even evolve together.

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In this episode, we examine marriage laws in Pakistan from a legal and academic perspective, focusing on whether the existing legal framework supports and empowers women while remaining fair to men.

The discussion covers:

What Pakistani law says about marriage and court marriage

Legal procedures for divorce, khula, and mutual separation

Rights and responsibilities of spouses under family law

The legal status of live-in relationships in Pakistan

Why some men today feel hesitant about marriage—and whether this fear is grounded in law or misconception

This podcast avoids political or ideological positioning and instead relies on constitutional principles, family laws, and court interpretations. It is intended for students, professionals, and anyone interested in understanding marriage laws beyond social myths and online narratives.

You can also watch this episode on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/JExjX_R5vYk?si=QR3ANP45RYln8xkS

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Join Maryam Zaka (PhD Islamic Studies) and Ali Zaka as they unpack the viral debate “Does God Exist?” between poet-lyricist and atheist Javed Akhtar and Islamic scholar Mufti Shamail Nadwi. This high-profile, two-hour exchange in New Delhi drew a packed audience and “spilled beyond the hall, sparking sharp reactions online. We’ll break down the key arguments – from Akhtar’s pointed references to human suffering (notably the Gaza conflict) questioning an all-powerful God, to Mufti Shamail’s logical defense (e.g. the contingency argument and a free-will explanation of evil). Along the way, we highlight the viral moments and social buzz: viewers have been sharing clips of Javed’s Gaza remark and Mufti’s famous lines (like *“If you do not know, then do not claim that God does not exist.”), and even joking that “Atheism died yesterday” after the debate.

This episode is an accessible yet scholarly discussion of those talking points. We look at how both sides performed – Javed’s passionate, evidence-driven critique of faith and Mufti Shamail’s calm, structured rebuttals – and why *“both atheists and theists thought their champion had carried the day. Drawing on news reports and online commentary, we explore the public reaction: from trending hashtags and memes to standout comments and reaction videos. Influencers and viewers have been posting their own takes (many spinning the debate into YouTube Shorts), and even Javed Akhtar reportedly chimed in on social media. We’ll surface the most telling follow-ups – for example, critics on Reddit calling Mufti’s arguments a “sermon in philosophy” or praising Akhtar’s bold questioning – and analyze the broader themes in play (faith vs. reason, morality without God, science vs. metaphysics, etc.).

Whether you’re deeply invested in the faith vs. secularism conversation or just curious about the social media buzz, this podcast will give you the full picture. Maryam and Ali guide you through the highlights of a debate that “triggered intense online debate, polarising views on belief, logic and ethics. Expect engaging examples, clear explanations, and even some humor. Tune in to hear which arguments really hit home, which clips got everyone talking, and what wisdom we can draw from this extraordinary discussion

You can also watch this episode on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/XX-62t51uGk?si=Zq5VSGBZjEy9NMul

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WWE real… or is it all fake?

And why do fans still care so deeply?

In this explosive podcast episode, we break down one of the most misunderstood debates in modern pop culture:

👉 Professional Wrestling vs Sports Entertainment

We dive deep into questions wrestling fans have argued about for decades:

🔥 Is WWE scripted — and does that mean it’s fake?

🔥 What’s the REAL difference between professional wrestling and sports entertainment?

🔥 Why did WWE move away from “wrestling” as a term?

🔥 How AEW revived the spirit of old-school wrestling

🔥 WWE vs AEW — which one respects wrestling more?

🔥 Why wrestling still hurts, sacrifices bodies, and demands discipline

🔥 Our favourite wrestlers, legendary rivalries, and unforgettable moments

From Stone Cold vs The Rock, Undertaker’s legacy, Cena vs Punk, to The Bloodline, CM Punk, Roman Reigns, and Chris Jericho Kurt Angle, Kane— we discuss what made wrestling magical, emotional, and unforgettable.

This episode is for:

🎤 Hardcore wrestling fans

🎭 Casual WWE viewers

📺 AEW loyalists

🧠 Anyone who thinks wrestling is “just fake fighting”

Because once you understand wrestling, you realize:

It’s scripted — but the pain is real.

The emotions are real.

And the storytelling is unmatched.

👇 Drop your favourite wrestler and rivalry in the comments.

Like, share, and subscribe if wrestling shaped your childhood.

You can also watch this episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/eJ2MMh-Jvhw?si=f7Cw__wU0wEewgi7

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Can art ever be neutral when silence itself becomes political?

In this episode, we sit down with a young playwright and performer to explore the boundaries between art for art’s sake and art for life’s sake. Using her controversial debut play The Book of Sibyl as a lens, we discuss how theatre confronts power, faith, gender, justice, and truth — especially in societies where speaking can be dangerous and silence is often rewarded.

This conversation moves beyond performance into questions that matter: Who gets believed?

When does faith become a tool of control?

Can suffering be turned into truth?

And why does meaningful art so often make people uncomfortable?

A thoughtful, unfiltered discussion on literature, theatre, philosophy, and the responsibility of the artist in a politically charged world.

You can also watch this episode on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/R9coqvadlPc?si=EbM75AVfgyRDQjZw

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