One of the great saints who grew up in Anatolia. He was born in 1803 (Hijri 1218) in the village of Percenç in Harput. His father's name was Abdullah Efendi. After completing his initial education in Harput, he went to Istanbul to pursue knowledge. He studied at the Sahn-ı Semân Madrasas around Fatih Mosque. After a long period of education in Istanbul, he received his ijaza (diploma) and returned to Harput. He taught at Harput Meydan Mosque Madrasa and trained many students. Harputlu İshak Efendi, who was very devoted to his students, used to say: "Students are like unfading roses and singing nightingales." After staying in Harput for two years, Harputlu İshak Efendi went to Istanbul and began teaching at the madrasa where he had studied. He quickly became famous for the sweetness of his conversations and the depth of his knowledge. He was invited to the palace by Sultan Abdülaziz Khan of that time. The Sultan appointed him as palace tutor. During the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid Khan, he was given the rank of Istanbul pasha and became a member of a major commission in the Ministry of Religious Foundations. In 1855, he was appointed to teach at Darülmaarif (House of Education). Harputlu İshak Efendi refuted Christians' claims that "Islam spread and was accepted by force of the sword" with various proofs, saying: "This noble religion did not spread through attacks and killings. The great and principal force that sustained and gave life to these states was the power of faith, justice, truthfulness, and sacrifice. For over a hundred years, the Russians have taken one gold coin annually from every individual, from the smallest children to the eldest, among the Muslims in Kazan, Uzbekistan, Crimea, Dagestan, and Turkistan that they invaded. Despite various tortures and coercions such as military service, not allowing Turkish to be spoken in schools, and forcing Russian education, how many Muslims in Russia have become Christians in all these years?" To the Protestants' statement: "Instead of burdening people with such a heavy burden as fasting, we recommend that everyone simply distance themselves from corrupt, evil intentions and false thoughts," he replied: "Humans cannot change the commandments of the true religion sent by Allah. Fasting is not merely about being hungry and thirsty. Fasting has many inner wisdoms and benefits. No priest or anyone else has the authority to corrupt or change a religious obligation built upon divine principles. Fasting is not an outward and unnecessary act." Harputlu İshak Efendi said: "As everyone with reason clearly sees, when one looks at the universe with a contemplative eye, it is seen that all affairs and conditions are bound to unchanging laws within an order. The necessity of a creator who established those laws and preserves them in the same way—namely Allah the Almighty, who is the Necessary Existent—is immediately understood by people of sound reason. Indeed, Allah the Exalted is the eternal and everlasting absolute creator of whom the initial beginning and nature of everything, how it came to be, cannot be understood by reason. He has gathered all perfections and superiorities within Himself." When Harputlu İshak Efendi fell ill and was bedridden, his students and visitors became very sad. He told them: "Why are you sad, my friends? Anyone who sees you would think you know nothing. Death is a gift to the believer. Death is meeting with the Truth. Death is migrating from the mortal world. Death is not annihilation. Stop being sad and crying. I am rejoicing because I am going to my true homeland." He passed away in Istanbul in 1891 (Hijri 1309). He was buried in the garden on the qibla side of Fatih Mosque.
