Ismail Fakirullah Türbesi "Işık Hadisesi"

İsmail Fakirullah Türbesi is a historically, spiritually, and scientifically important structure located in the Tillo district of Siirt province in Türkiye. This türbe houses the tomb of İsmail Fakirullah Hazretleri (1656–1734), one of the leading Sufi masters of the 17th and 18th centuries. It was built by his renowned student and follower, the famous scientist İbrahim Hakkı Hazretleri, out of profound respect and love for his teacher. The türbe is especially known for the “Light Phenomenon,” a unique optical design conceived by İbrahim Hakkı. In 2015, this structure was added to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites and stands as a unique example of the scientific and religious heritage of Turkish-Islamic history.

^{The türbe of İsmail Fakirullah Hazretleri (}Anadolu Ajansı⁾

The İsmail Fakirullah Türbesi was constructed after İsmail Fakirullah’s death in 1734. Its design and construction reflect İbrahim Hakkı Hazretleri’s expertise in both architecture and astronomy. The türbe features a simple yet functional layout consisting of two rooms, a vestibule, two small domes, and one large dome. One of its most striking elements is an octagonal reflective tower, 10 meters high, situated on its side. This tower is used to direct sunlight from the nearby “Kal’at-ül Üstad” (The Master’s Castle), a mortarless stone wall approximately 2.5 to 4 kilometers to the east of the türbe.

The architecture of the türbe is one of the finest examples of 18th-century Ottoman stonemasonry, characterized by its simplicity and elegance. The stone walls, built without mortar, are notable for both their durability and aesthetic appeal. The türbe was designed to harmonize with Tillo’s rugged topography and integrate seamlessly with its natural surroundings. The sarcophagus of İsmail Fakirullah is located inside the türbe and serves as the focal point of the light mechanism.

^{The head of İsmail Fakirullah’s sarcophagus (}Siirt Governorship⁾

The international fame of the İsmail Fakirullah Türbesi stems primarily from the “Light Phenomenon,” dedicated by İbrahim Hakkı Hazretleri to his teacher. After his master’s death, İbrahim Hakkı devised a mechanism to direct sunlight into the türbe on specific days each year, asking, “How can I bring the sun to my teacher’s bedside?” This system operates on the equinoxes (March 21 and September 23), when day and night are of equal length. The first rays of morning sunlight pass through a 40x50 cm window in Kal’at-ül Üstad, strike the reflective tower, refract, and enter the türbe through its window, illuminating the head of İsmail Fakirullah’s sarcophagus for approximately 5 minutes. During this time, no sunlight is visible in Tillo, enhancing the uniqueness of the phenomenon.

The Light Phenomenon is a product of İbrahim Hakkı’s deep knowledge of astronomy, mathematics, and optics. The mechanism functioned continuously from 1734 until the 1960s, when it was disrupted during a restoration of the türbe that altered the position of the window. For nearly 50 years, the system remained inactive until it was restored to full functionality in 2011 under the leadership of the Siirt Governorship, with scientific contributions from TÜBİTAK and various universities. Using laser and space technology, the system has been regularly observed every year since then.

İbrahim Hakkı Hazretleri continues to hold a unique place in Turkish-Islamic history, both scientifically and spiritually. As a symbol uniting his genius with his devotion to his teacher, the Light Phenomenon has brought global recognition to Tillo district of Siirt. This event on UNESCO’s list is a significant asset for Türkiye in terms of science, culture, and tourism.