Founder

Prof. Dr. Mahmud Esad COŞAN
(1938-2001)

Prof. Dr. Mahmud Esad COŞAN effendi was born in Ayvacık town of Çanakkale on 14.4.1938. His father is Halil Necati Effendi, and his mother is Şadiye Hanım. His ancestors, who were the descendants of Hz. Huseyin Effendi, came from Buhara and settled in Çanakkale. His great grandfather Molla Addullah Effendi received education in theology in Istanbul, and became the close devotee of Gümüşhaneli Ahmed Ziyauddin Effendi, who was the famous sheikh of that period. Whereas, his grandfather Molla Mehmet Effendi after being educated in Fatif madrasah and received his madrasah diploma, joined the army and died martyr in I. World War.

Father of Mahmud Esad Coşan effendi, namely Hafız Halil Necati Effendi moved to Istanbul for the education of his children in 1942,. Esad Coşan effendi completed his primary school education at Eminönü Vezneciler primary school in 1950. Meanwhile, through his father, he met Serezli Hasib and Abdulaziz Bekkine Effendies, who were the scholars of that era, and attended their conversations.

He was graduated from the science branch of Vefa Secondary School in 1956. He completed the Arabic-Farsi philology department of Istanbul University Literature Faculty in 1960. Arabian He received Arabian language and literature, Farsi language and literature, Medieval History and Turkish-Islamic Art certificates. When he was in the last year of the Faculty, he married to lady Muhterem, who was the youngest daughter of Mehmed Zahid (Kotku) Effendi.

After graduating from the Faculty, he successfully passed the exams, and appointed as assistant at Ankara University Faculty of Divinity Classic-Religious Turkish Texts Chair.

Working as secretary in Faculty publication committee for two years, Esad Coşan effendi received the doctorate diploma in theology in 1965. He taught Turkish-Islam History, Ottoman language, Turkish-Composition, Farsi and Arabic languages at the Faculty. Besides being a member of academic staff at the Divinity Faculty, he gave lectures in “Turkish and Humanities” at Ankara Yükseliş Engineering and Architecture Private University between 1967 and 68, and at Sakarya State Engineering and Architecture Academy between 1977 and1980.

Esad Coşan effendi became assistant professor at the same Faculty in 1972. He was appointed as President of Ankara University Faculty of Divinity Turkish-Islam Literature Chair. He became a professor in 1982. He held the presidency position at the department of the mentioned chair.

Besides being a member of academic staff at the University, he held positions as member of various commissions established at Ministry of Education and State Planning Organization. He participated in various international meetings and conferences and made researches and investigations in countries such as Sweden, Germany, Austria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Jordan, Saudi Arabia.

Mahmud Esad Coşan effendi, while leading a successful and efficient member of academic staff life, he voluntarily retired in order to spare more time to spiritual and moral activities and cultural studies in 1987. He spread the Hadis courses (studies in Prophet Muhammad’s deeds), which were initiated by his lecturers, by teaching them in many parts of Turkey.

He encouraged his friends to generate services in common and formal education, culture, solidarity, art and publication areas. He pioneered in initiation of many studies in this area. He wrote many books and articles and published magazines. He led the way in the establishment of many foundation and social organizations.

He expanded his service boundaries due to the attention shown to his scientific conversations and visited many countries all around the world. He participated in many educational programs by visiting Europe, USA, Central Asia and Australia many times.

He passed away in a sad traffic accident during a trip made for opening a mosque in Australia, thousands of miles away from his homeland on 4 February 2001. His body was brought to Turkey. Hundred of thousands of people, who loved him, and his students attended to the prayer performed at the funeral following the Friday prayer at Fatih mosque on 9 February 2001. His grave is currently in Eyüp Sultan graveyard.

Prepared by: Dr. Necdet Yılmaz