The romance commences with the joyful birth of Qays, celebrated by the family and the tribe. An astrologer prophesies that although the child is blessed with good looks and virtues, he will go insane from love. At the age of five, he is sent to school where the boys and girls are segregated on separate sides of the classroom. Across from him is the beautiful Layla, and the two form a mutual affection. As their friends spread gossip about the budding romance, Layla’s mother hears of the situation and warns her daughter that her reputation and life are at risk. Her father orders her to live in seclusion, and high walls are built around her. Layla weeps within her palace prison, and laments her situation to her mother, who is physically present for her daughter, but helpless to change her fate.

Qays continues to attend school, but can only sing of his love for Layla as he descends into madness, oblivious to the mocking and stone throwing of the children around him. He leaves home and wanders into the wilderness, and his erratic behaviour earns him the epithet ‘Majnun’ (‘possessed by jinn’). When his father hears of the situation, he visits his son in the wilderness, beseeching him to return home and forget about Layla. Majnun insists that he cannot escape his fate, but he returns home with his father. His mother, seeing his lovelorn state, sends her husband to ask for Layla’s hand in marriage.

Although Majnun’s father is met with respect, Layla’s father denies his request, insisting that any further discussion would result in a fight. Majnun’s father requests assistance from Nawfal, the chieftain of his tribe, who again requests the betrothal of the young lovers upon threat of warfare. Layla’s father still refuses, and a fierce battle between the tribes ensues; after a week, Majnun’s tribe suggests settling the issue by killing Layla. Majnun begs Nawfal to kill him in her stead, and the fighting ends abruptly; as the tribe returns home, Majnun seeks to lie in solidarity among the dead on the battlefield. After a crow tries to peck out his eyes, Majnun again wanders off into the desert.