Paul's Jihad | The Holy War of Muad'Dib Explained | Dune Lore

A discussion of the interplanetary war known as Muad’dib’s Jihad, what led up to it and how it fundamentally transformed the known universe of Frank Herbert’s Dune. Spoiler warning as I will be discussing significant events occurring throughout the Dune Series.

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God Emperor Art by Berkan Özkan, Instagram: @berkanozkan_art

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Frank Herbert’s Dune Novels

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[byronlee]

"Don't trust leaders to always be right."
-Frank Herbert

[joshrhoads]

Leto realized the sad truth - he had to sacrifice any of the humanity he had left, becoming the greatest scumbag ever lived and worst tyrant in human history, to insure humanity would never again rely on the charisma of heroes while he simultaneously evolved humanity so that could not be controlled by prescient elitests.

[sweepingtime]

I think that it's clear from the books that in order to be a supreme leader, one must become a monster. In the recent movie I thought I saw a scene where I interpreted it as Paul taking a kinder approach to the Fremen and not killing the one he was dueling, thus becoming friends with that one. But in the end he did not choose that version of the future. In using his precognitive ability and always choosing the optimal outcome he always justified the means with the ends, and then his honorable upbringing, even his humanity, meant nothing as he transformed into a calculating machine that snuffed out billions of lives for a bright future that only he can see.

[darkroninmarvel]

Frank Herbert: beware charismatic figures
Consumer: all hail mickey mouse!
Frank Herbert: goddammit!

[danzigrulze]

When I first served in Iraq I constantly thought of Dune. I even re-read the books during my down time for the third time in my life. I was in the middle of what was called to Sunni triangle and the word "jihad" would be used daily when talking with the village elders and the local population. That being said, the Zen-Sunni warriors of Arrakis, the Fremen should use the word that their ancestors used in reference to any warrior fighting in the name of God.

[mics]

One of my unforgettable moments in Dune Messiah (where Paul's jihad was intricately explained), was of a Fedaykin's first time seeing the sea. The setting which was a sunset, seemed surreal to the Fedaykin; he then drank the salty water which the others shunned him for. I imagine that scene every time and hope that Villenueve would adapt it.

*correct me if I'm wrong, if it really was sunset or not

[ianbrewster]

I always liked the fact that Herbert spent so much time on what happens when we turn a charismatic leader into some messianic figure. I also like the fact that we see Paul laments over what he has to do to save humanity. It does make you wonder knowing what has to be done to save humanity is any one person even capable of such a choice. I've always found out one of the most thought-provoking elements of the series.

[st.anselmsfire]

I was serving in Afghanistan when I read Dune for the first time. I'd always wanted to check it out, but it suddenly seemed somehow appropriate when I was in the Middle East. I got all the way through God Emperor of Dune by the end of my orders.
Herbert's take on religion was brilliant, showing the inherent danger of taking advantage of religious fervor, and trying to control a jihad, as we had done in Afghanistan back in the 80s. In the 2000s, we were reaping the whirlwind that we had created.

[bombsawaylemay]

Hopefully the word "jihad" is used instead of crusade in Dune Part 2. Also, it would be cool if the beginning of the jihad is shown at the end of the movie. Can't wait for it to come out!

[TheFacelessStoryMaker]

It was interesting seeing Pauls vision which had Fremen warriors on Caladan his homeworld. Those that read the books know that during and after the Jihad, Lady Jessica forbade Fremen from going to Caladan even for religious pilgrimages.

[anthonypinkerton]

Having read and reread the many books of Dune, I like to point out that Paul Muad'dib's Jihad as we call it. Was merely him exacting revenge on the Harkonnen's and the Emperor of the Known Universe. In many ways, Paul was the victim over and over, throughout the Dune saga. At first, he was avenging the deaths of the Army of the Atreides, then of his father Duke Leto, then the death of his first-born son Leto II. In each machination, Paul was presented with two options, both destructive and violent. By the end of Dune Messiah, Paul while a ruler of Arrakis, was torn apart with grief for what was done in his name, but he couldn't find an effective way to make amends for his past self. That, I think, is the truest lesson of Dune; as Frank Herbert, used the story as a way to say beware of charismatic leaders. We've seen throughout our own history that leaders who appear to be Charismatic, often hid terrible purposes in the things they use to bring about "the greater good."

[whabs]

Nicely put together as always Nerd Cookies.
I believe another one more crucial event that solidified the Jihad and Paul's fury against House Harkonen, The Sarduakar and the Emperor was the death of his son newborn son in the first book.

[Cisreyyah]

There was one line in Dune Messiah describing the jihad that really struck me when I first read it. I forget the exact words, but it left me with the impression that the jihad had devolved into a mere bureaucratic process. That Paul's government continued the jihad only because it had always done so. Frightening stuff.

[wk]

Fantastic as always, thank you. It has always been my opinion that Paul did not know the inevitability of the Jihad until he took the water of life. Before then he saw glimpses but still thought he could overt the worst of it.

This is cautionary tale to not put too much faith in a charismatic leader, especially when politics and religion have their lines blurred. A cult of personality will inevitable have the members believe they have a monopoly on the truth and believe that it is in fact everyone else who has been brainwashed and in a cult. When reason has been bypassed by the many great harm can be done in name of what is perceived as Truth.

"When religion and politics travel in the same cart, the riders believe nothing can stand in their way. Their movements become headlong - faster and faster and faster. They put aside all thoughts of obstacles and forget the precipice does not show itself to the man in a blind rush until it's too late." - Frank Herbert, 'Dune'.

[drnkinirish]

I always thought that Paul choosing the jihad over any of the other options was the most salvageable to mankind. Meaning, reconciling with his uncle would have been an even more disastrous move, emotion aside.

[natzbarney]

Great video. Paul story is a powerful tragedy and a cautionary tale against charismatic leaders. As said in the novel, no more terrible disaster could befall your people than for them to fall into the hands of a Hero.

[billyalarie]

Your summary of Dune knowledge, and soothing voice getting me through it, are always a welcome part of my week.

[jakeg]

I understand why Thufir Hawat had such a low opinion of the Bene Gesserit. They were responsible for all this through their "religious engineering" and selective breeding program. Paul can't be blamed, he was destiny bound to do this as was his son. They were the ones who effectively killed 50 billion people

[Interrobang]

I honestly feel like this topic didn't have enough fleshing out. We're TOLD that it's happening, but never really shown what these supposedly brutal wars look like. How did the fremen take over so many planets? What were the great battles of the war? I think its a huge missed opportunity, or at least ripe ground for exploration by Brian Herbert.

[Charolette]

My theory as to why the reconciliation timeline didn't happen was either because Vladamir and Shadam wanted the Atreides dead for being jealous, salty bitches or the fact Jessica gave Leto a son instead of a daughter, thereby fulfilling the goal of the Bene Gesirate.