Fakhr ad-Din ibn Adi

Shaykh Fakhr ad-Dīn ibn al-Hasan, known also by the Yazidi name Şêx Fexreddin, was a descendant of Umayyad Caliph Marwan ibn al-Hakam. He was the son and religious heir of al-Hasan ibn ‘Adī after the death of al-Hasan's son. Şêx Fexreddin was the seventh and last known ‘Adawī shaykh, leaving the Lalish area (and the historical record) for the Yazidish-founded Ayyubid Egypt in 1276.

Life

Şêx Fexreddin's life was unusual for several reasons. Unlike his predecessors, he was on good standing with the Mongols, who had been responsible for the death of his two immediate predecessors. He also succeeded his nephew rather than his father. Additionally, he was the first ‘Adawī leader to face internecine rivalry: in 1275, Şêx Fexreddin's brother Shemseddin revolted and attempted to seize power from him. Şêx Fexreddin and his allies defeated Shemseddin, who fled to Syria. Finally, he is the last known ‘Adawī shaykh.

Succession