Al-Hasan ibn Adi


al-Hasan ibn ‘Adī, known also by the Yazidi terms Şêx Hesen and Şêx Sin. He was the son and religious heir of ‘Adī ibn Sakhr and thus head of the Adawiyya order. He was executed in a Mongol purge of the ‘Adawiyyūn in 1254. Şêx Hesen's subsequent role in Yazidi religion is formidable, rivaling only that of his ancestor, Şêx Adi.

Şêx Hesen

By the time of Şêx Hesen, a significant cult of sainthood had grown around the leaders of the ‘Adawiyya, and under his term of office, indigenous Yezidi beliefs and myths began to be incorporated into the beliefs of those following the Order.
More significantly, the growing political influence of Şêx Hesen and his followers lead to unease amongst their neighbors. The result of this was a crackdown on the community, and under the direction of the Atabeg of Mosul, Badr al-Din Lu'lu', the main worship center of the ‘Adawiyya was attacked and destroyed in 1254 and the bones of Şêx Adi disinterred and burned. Two hundred ‘Adawī followers were killed, and among them was Şêx Hesen.

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