Many love stories have been told throughout history. The strength of love enables one to fight deadly enemies, accomplish unbearable tasks, and unite with the beloved. They all have common points: two people fall in love and beat all odds to be married (being happy). An outside source (family members or relatives), an enemy, or an awkward social situation usually keeps them apart. Cinderella was poor and unnoticed, Sleeping Beauty was poisoned by a witch, and Romeo and Juliet's families were eternal enemies.
Regardless of the modern mockery of these foolish lovers, one can find a deeper meaning in some of these stories. The mystic interpretation of Leyla and Mejnun, a well-known seventh-century Arab love tale, brings a different shade to the unforgettable theme: love. This story is quite original. As usual, they fall in love, are separated by their families, and continue to love each other. There is even a happy ending. The originality comes from the Sufi (mystical) interpretation of this love, a love that transforms love for a person into love for the Divine.
Many interpretations and versions of this story have come from Arab, Persian, and Turkish poets. The Turkish poet Fuzuli writes: Leyla and Qays (later called Mejnun) meet in childhood at school. As they grow up, their love becomes obvious. Leyla's father forbids her to attend school and see Qays, for their obvious love is a very inconvenient situation in Bedouin culture. Leyla's father rejects Qays when the latter's father seeks permission for his son to marry Leyla. Overcome by grief, Qays goes mad. Nicknamed Mejnun (the obsessed, mad one), he leaves home and roams the desert.
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