Leylā and Mejnūn

work by Fuzuli

Also known as: “Leylâ ve Mecnun”, “Leyla ü Mecnun”

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June 30, 2026

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Fuzuli's Leylā and Mejnūn is a celebrated allegorical romance that depicts the attraction of Mejnūn (the human spirit) for Leylā (divine beauty). Fuzuli, born around 1495 in Iraq, was a prominent Turkish poet known for his work in Turkish, Persian, and Arabic. He is considered a significant figure in the classical school of Turkish literature.1

His rendition of Leylā and Mejnūn is noted for its melodic and sensitive portrayal of the classic tale. Fuzuli's poetic style is characterized by sincerity, passion, and a pervasive melancholy, which allowed his work to transcend the formal aesthetics of classical Islamic literature. His writings influenced poets for centuries.21

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Mehmed bin Süleyman Fuzuli
…of the great Muslim classic Leylâ ve Mecnun. This celebrated allegorical romance depicts the attraction of the Majnūn (the human spirit) for Laylā (divine beauty). Fuzuli is the author of two divans (collections of poems), one in Azerbaijani Turkish and one in Persian. These anthologies contain examples of his most…
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…of the great Muslim classic Leylâ ve Mecnun. This celebrated allegorical romance depicts the attraction of the Majnūn (the human spirit) for Laylā (divine beauty). Fuzuli is the author of two divans (collections of poems), one in Azerbaijani Turkish and one in Persian. These anthologies contain examples of his most…
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Turkish literature
Forms and genres
…the Leyla ü Mecnun (Leylā and Mejnūn) of Mehmed bin Süleyman Fuzuli, written in the 16th century. Although this work has been accepted into the Ottoman canon, its author wrote within the Turkmen literary tradition, under the influence of the Chagatai mesnevî.
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…the Leyla ü Mecnun (Leylā and Mejnūn) of Mehmed bin Süleyman Fuzuli, written in the 16th century. Although this work has been accepted into the Ottoman canon, its author wrote within the Turkmen literary tradition, under the influence of the Chagatai mesnevî.
Read More