Aladdin is one of the stories of Syrian origin of the Thousand and One Nights, and one of the most famous in Western culture. The first source is the French translation of the Thousand and One Nights by Antoine Galland, who added additional tales not from the original, originated from the oral tales of Hanna Diyab, a young Arab traveler and storyteller who Galland meet for chance in Paris.

The basic plot is: Aladdin is an impoverished young ne'er-do-well dwelling in "one of the cities of China". He is recruited by a sorcerer from the Maghreb, who passes himself off as the brother of Aladdin's late father, Mustapha the tailor, convincing Aladdin and his mother of his good will by pretending to set up the lad as a wealthy merchant. The sorcerer's real motive is to persuade young Aladdin to retrieve a wonderful oil lamp from a booby-trapped magic cave. After the sorcerer attempts to double-cross him, Aladdin finds himself trapped in the cave.

Fortunately, Aladdin is still wearing a magic ring the sorcerer has lent him. When he rubs his hands in despair, he inadvertently rubs the ring and a jinnī (or "genie") appears who releases him from the cave so that he can return to his mother, fortunately still carrying the lamp. When his mother tries to clean the lamp, so they can sell it to buy food for their supper, a second far more powerful genie appears who is bound to do the bidding of the person holding the lamp. With the aid of the genie of the lamp, Aladdin becomes rich and powerful and marries Princess Badroulbadour, the sultan's daughter (after magically foiling her marriage to the vizier's son). The genie builds Aladdin and his bride a wonderful palace, far more magnificent than the sultan's. The sorcerer hears of Aladdin's good fortune, and returns; he gets his hands on the lamp by tricking Aladdin's wife (who is unaware of the lamp's importance) by offering to exchange "new lamps for old." He orders the genie of the lamp to take the palace, along with all its contents, to his home in the Maghreb. Fortunately, Aladdin still has the magic ring and is able to summon the lesser genie.The genie of the ring cannot directly undo any of the magic of the genie of the lamp, but he is able to transport Aladdin to the Maghreb where, with the help of the "woman's wiles" of the princess he recovers the lamp and slays the sorcerer, returning the palace to its proper place.

The sorcerer's more powerful and evil brother plots to destroy Aladdin for killing his brother by disguising himself as an old woman known for her healing powers. Badroulbadour falls for his disguise and commands the "woman" to stay in her palace in case of any illnesses. Aladdin is warned of this danger by the genie of the lamp and slays the imposter. Everyone lives happily ever after, Aladdin eventually succeeding to his father-in-law's throne.

Alternate Versions

Disney

Aladdin was born to Cassim and an unnamed woman. When Aladdin was only an infant his father left him and his mother. Soon after his father left Aladdin's mother was captured by bandits when Aladdin was only two years old and was presumed dead. Due to being orphaned so early, Aladdin never received a formal education, and thus was forced to learn to survive in the streets of Agrabah. Lacking other means, he steals only to survive, but his good heart often moves him to give what he has stolen to others who need it more than him. Aladdin is also often seen with his best friend Abu (a monkey).

Fables

In From Fabletown with Love, Aladdin worked with Cinderella (also a secret agent). They forged a relationship through out the series and later became a couple.

Radical

Aladdin is a thief, a gambler, and a con’ artist. He uses his keen wits, good looks and charming disposition to get what he wants but the truth is he doesn’t know really what that is. He’s empty inside but thinks that women and wine and riches will fill that void but it’s not working. He’s becoming more cold, callous and manipulative the older he gets.

His pregnant mother was found dying in the streets of Shambhalla and taken in by Madam Naomi of the local brothel. When she died, he was raised by the madam and her girls, so he has this insight into the minds of women and a grim view of the vices of men. As he gets older he plays both to his advantage, winning over and exploiting women with his charm, and conning men by appealing to their greed. However, life on the streets of the vast, sprawling city of Shambhalla is hard and for all his bravado, Aladdin isn’t cut out for it. He’s in danger of being eaten alive by the place. What he doesn’t know is that he has a destiny, a heritage that quite literally flows in his veins. He’s helped to an extent by Captain Sinbad but even he’s a shadow of his former self.