Huseyin Hilmi Isik

Born in Eyup Sultan in Istanbul on 8 March, 1911, Huseyin Hilmi Isik is regarded as  one of the greatest Islamic scholars of the 20th Century. He was also a pharmacist, an eminent chemical engineer and a retired soldier.


His school life was full of achievements. At the age of five he was enrolled at the Mihri Sâh Sultân primary school, where he recited the entire Holy Qur’an. In 1924 he graduated from the Resadiye middle school with distinction. After graduating with distinction from the Halıcıoglu Military High School, he graduated with distinction from the Faculty of Pharmacy, and was commissioned with the rank of lieutenant.

After having completed his internship at Gulhane Hospital, again with distinction, he was appointed inspector to the Military College of Medicine. In 1936 he graduated from the Science Faculty of Istanbul University , becoming Turkey’s first senior chemical engineer.

While working with world-renowned scientists, he synthesized and discovered the formula for phenyl-cyan-nitromethane. This research, a world first, was widely carried in the Turkish and international press.

In 1936 he was appointed to the rank of Army Chemist  and worked with world-famous chemists. He became an expert on poison gases. He was promoted to major in 1945, retiring with the rank of colonel following the coup of 1960.

Huseyin Hilmi Isik taught chemistry, physics, mathematics, German and French in several high schools in Istanbul. In 1966 he opened the Işık Bookstore in Istanbul, and later the Hakîkat Bookstore. In 1976 he founded the İhlâs Foundation. Huseyin Hilmi Isik (may Allah be pleased with him) was a Muslim with a passionate love of Allah who read from the works of Islamic scholars in all his talks.

His meeting Abdul-Hakim-i Arwasi

His meeting with Abdul-Hakim-i Arwasi in 1929 was the turning point in his life. He attended his classes for 14 years, and after his master’s death he continued to receive scientific instruction from his son, the Mufti of Kadıköy, Ahmet Mekki Üçışık. In 1953 he received  plenary permission to teach and write books. He published books in Arabic, Farsi, English, French, German and other languages and strove to hasten the global influence of Islamic moral values and Islamic Union by sending these books all over the world. He used the pen name Sıddık Gumus in some of his books. Some of his works are ;

Complete Commentary on Eternal Happiness, Translation of Letters, The Faith Needed by All, The Day of Reckoning and the Hereafter and The Glad Tidings of Prophethood.

Huseyin Hilmi Isik passed away on the 26th of  October, 2001. Thousands attended his funeral at the Eyup Mosque, and he was buried in Eyup Sultan.