Majnûn

Majnûn, whose name translates to "possessed by jinn" or "madman," is a figure from Arabic and Persian literature, most famously known for his tragic love story with Layla. The legend of Majnûn and Layla is one of the most enduring and widely told tales of love in the Middle East and beyond. While the exact historical basis of Majnûn is debated, he is often identified as Qays ibn al-Mulawwah, a 7th-century Bedouin poet.

The story typically recounts how Qays fell deeply in love with Layla bint Mahdi, a beautiful girl from a neighboring tribe. Their love was so intense that Qays composed countless poems dedicated to her. However, Layla's father, disapproving of their relationship or perhaps fearing the scandal, refused to let them marry and instead married her off to another man. This rejection drove Qays to utter despair and madness, leading him to wander the wilderness, composing poetry and speaking only of his beloved Layla. He became known as Majnûn, the mad lover, living in solitude and consumed by his unrequited passion.

The tale of Majnûn and Layla has been retold and reinterpreted by numerous poets and writers throughout centuries, most notably by the 12th-century Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi in his epic poem "Layla and Majnûn," which is part of his Khamse. This version solidified the story's place in classical Persian literature. The legend explores themes of divine love, the destructive power of unfulfilled desire, and the spiritual transcendence found in absolute devotion, often serving as an allegory for the Sufi quest for union with God.