Sherfedin
Sharaf ad-Din ibn al-Hasan
Yazidi saint
Sheikh Sharaf ad-Dīn ibn al-Hasan (Kurdish: شهرفهدین, romanized: Şerfedîn) was the son and religious heir of al-Hasan ibn ‘Adī and thus head of the ‘Adawiyya order. He died in battle against the Mongols in 1258 and was succeeded by his uncle, Fakhr ad-Dīn ibn ‘Adī.[1] Due to the hostility of the Mongols, his son Zayn ed Din preferred not to become his successor and passed on the duties to Fakhr ad-Dīn ibn ‘Adī, who was married to a Mongol.[2]
The Sharfadin Temple is considered to be one of the oldest and most important Yazidi holy sites.[3] Sherfedin is particularly revered in the Sinjar region.[4]
The Yazidi Qewlê Şerfedîn ("Hymn of Şerfedîn") identifies Şerfedîn with the Mahdi. In the hymn (qewl), Şerfedîn is currently staying in a cave and will emerge at the end of times.[4]