It has many versions in literature. The Persian version written by the 12th Century poet Nizami Ganjevi. He wrote the
most famous version of “Leyli and Majnun." The poem was dedicated, in 1192, to Abu al-Muzaffar Shirvanshah. It is based on the real story of a young man called Gays ibn al-Mullawah. He loved Layla Al-Aamiriya. Leyli (or Leyla ) came from a rich tribe in Arabia. Gais was the son of the leader of another rich Arabic tribe. Leyli and Gais attended the same madrasa (traditional school). There they fell in love with each other. When Leyli’s parents heard about it, they refused to let her return to school. For them Leyli’s attitude towards Majnun was a great shame for the family. The lovers were forbidden to see each other .
People started calling Gays " Majnun " (madman or driven mad by Layla). Gays'
father went to Leyli‘s father and tried to make arrangements for the couple to marry, but Leyli’s father would not comply: "I've heard of your fame and it would be an honor to be a relative of yours, but everybody says your son is the one they're calling ' Majnun.' My daughter does not deserve to marry a madman."
Majnun left his home and family and went to live in the desert. He found it more satisfying to commune with animals than with heartless people. Leyli’s parents engaged her to a rich man - Ibn Salam. But the thought of marrying him caused Leyli great pain because she still loved Majnun.
Majnun’s father took his son on a long journey to Mecca, hoping to distract him. There he pleaded with the distraught lad: "Ask God to ease your pain and solve this problem." But instead, Majnun implored, "God, make my friendship with the pain of love even stronger!"
A young warrior named Nofal witnessed this strange scene and asked Majnun’s father what had happened. Once he heard the story, Nofal decided to kidnap Leyli and bring her to Majnun. He took his warriors to Leyli’s father's region and started attacking them. During the battle, however, Majnun sided with Leyli’s people and tried to help them.
Nofal was shocked and went into a rage: "What are you doing? Are you crazy? My people are dying for you and you're helping the enemy."
Majnun replied: "These people are not my enemies. These are the people from my lover's family. I won't allow any of them to get hurt."
Leyli’s father approached Nofal and asked him to stop fighting, telling him that his daughter was already engaged. Nofal was sorry that he had not known this beforehand. They made peace, and Nofal and his army left.
After Leyli married Ibn Salam, she became ill. When Majnun learned of Leyli’s death, he rushed to her grave. In great distress, he mourned her death. The last scene shows him dying at her graveside. The story has been leaving for centuries. Time passes, but true love remains.