Hulusi Yahyagil

 

By Ersan Akyuz

 

Hulusi Yahyagil is the first student of the Risale-i Nur. He was born on the first night of Ramadan in 1896 in the village of Kesrik in Elazig. His father was a high ranked military officer. After completing his primary education at the Elazig Mosque with Sari Hafiz, he continued his education at a military school. His education was half complete when he was called upon to serve in the First World War. After fighting in many battles and even being wounded, he continued to be a soldier. In 1922, he was promoted to the position of Lieutenant. In January, 1928, Hulusi Yahyagil was sent as a teacher in the military training academy in Egirdir Mountain, Isparta. This was a turning point in his life because in those years Bediuzzaman Said Nursi was sent to exile in Barla, Isparta.

In 1929, Hulusi Yahyagil along with a couple of friends went to visit Said Nursi for the first time. Due to the long distance between Hulusi abi and Said Nursi they began writing each other letters. Hulusi Yahyagil would ask questions and Ustad Said Nursi would answer them. Hence, most of the well-known book, “The Letters” in the Risale-i Nur Collection was made up of these questions and answers. In 1950, Hulusi abi visited Said Nursi in Emirdag. This encounter lasted 20 minutes. Hulusi Yahyagil went to hajj that year. He visited Bediuzzaman for the last time in 1957. Hulusi Yahyagil spent most of his life in his home town in Elazig. He dedicated his life to the Risale-i Nur and passed away after falling ill after a ders session on the 26th of July, 1986.