Special Sub-Topic: Layla and Majnun Click Here To Play: Layla and Majnun

The story of Layla and Majnun (also known as Qays) took place in what part of the world?

The Middle East. Most sources agree Layla and Majnun lived on the Arabian Peninsula in the Umayyad era during the seventh century. Several versions (some say over a hundred) of the story were adapted into tales, legends, and songs by Persian and Turkish writers. The best known version was written by the twelfth century Persian poet, Nizami Ganjavi, who consolidated all of the stories into one poem.

One version of the story says that Layla and Majnun were ______

cousins.. This version of the story claims that Layla and Majnun were members of the same Bedouin tribe, and that they fell in love while tending their flocks. Another version says that Majnun fell in love with Layla at school. The two kept their feelings quiet, but the other school children noticed their feelings, and ridiculed Majnun. He ignored their comments, and spent his days looking at Layla and quietly chanting her name. Although some say that the families warred, it was not until after Layla's father refused to let her marry Majnun.

Qays ibn al-Mulawwah ibn Muzahim was eventually known as Majnun Layla. What does this mean?

Driven mad by Layla.. One of the versions says that while at school one day, overwhelmed by his passion for Layla, Qays ran out of the classroom into the street yelling her name. After that he was called Majnun. Majnun's father took him on a pilgrimage to Mecca to try to rid his son of the pain, but instead, Majnun asked that God make his love for Layla "a hundred times as great as it was and is!"

What does the name Layla mean?

Night. 'Layla' is related to the Hebrew and Arabic words for night, and is thought to mean 'one who works by night.' This is an allusion to the hidden, secret romance of the two. Layla was said to have been beautiful; her most striking feature was her dark hair. "Does not 'Layl' mean 'night' in Arabic? And dark as the night was the color of her hair."

Layla's father objected to Majnun because he was poor.

False. Majnun was the son of Sayyid, a man of wealth, power, and prestige. It was said that Majnun was handsome, and that he "grew to perfection." Layla's father thought Majnun's love disgraced his daughter. When Majnun's family asked that the two be allowed to marry, Layla's father said he would not give his daughter away to a madman who ran in the streets yelling her name.

Eventually Layla was married to another man who allowed her to remain chaste.

True. Layla remained devoted to Majnun and refused to consummate her marriage. Her husband loved Layla and accepted her love for Majnun, agreeing to her condition of an outward marriage only.

After Layla's marriage, Majnun's only true friends were wild animals.

True. When he heard of Layla's marriage to another man, Qays fled his tribe's camp, and began living in caves and wandering in the desert. His family left food for him, but gave up on his return. Majnun was protected by wild animals, and they accompanied him while he walked through the desert. It is said that his only earthly happiness was their friendship, and they guarded his body as he died by Layla's grave.

After Layla's marriage, she never saw Majnun again.

False. Apparently the two knew an old man named Zayd, who helped them exchange letters and finally meet. They were not allowed to be any closer than ten paces. Majnun recited love poetry to her. Zayd tended their joint grave, and had a vision of them in paradise, where he was told "These two friends are one, eternal companions. He is Majnun, the king of the world in right action. And she is Layla, the moon among idols in compassion. . . .Here they suffer grief no more."

What happened to Layla and Majnun in the end?

Layla died and Majnun was found dead by her grave shortly thereafter.. Layla died shortly after the death of her husband, openly mourning her love of Majnun. When Majnun heard of her death, he became mad with grief. He was found dead near her grave, his three final verses of poetry carved on a rock nearby.

The story of Layla and Majnun could have influenced Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet".

True. Although Shakespearean scholars say there is no evidence to suggest that he read a Latin version of the story, the striking similarity is the tale of undying love and the fate of the young lovers.