Arabic and Islam in DUNE | The Real World of the Films | 2024

The Islamic, Arabic, and Middle Eastern themes in Frank Herbert's Dune. Covering both the books and adaptations, including both films, Dune Part 1 and Dune Part 2.

#dunepart2 #dunearabic #duneislam

Video Sources

Sources
The Commission of Ecumenical Translators:

Dune Part 1 Film Script

A comparative analysis between the Mahdi from Dune (2021) and Imam Mahdī in the Twelver Shi‘a tradition by Reza John Vedadi.
The Secret History of Dune | Los Angeles Review of Books

Sabres of Paradise, the book that inspired Dune

Chechen Wars 1829-1859

Worlds of Dune by Tom Huddlestone

Kris dagger

00:00 Introduction
00:49 Part 1: Spice, Oil, Jihad
02:22 Rabban, Thufir, Shaddam
03:01 Lawrence of Arabia
03:44 Gom Jabbar, Bene Gesserit
04:36 Lisan al-Gaib, Shai Hulud
06:15 Sabres of Paradise
07:01 Sardaukar
07:45 Hajar and Ishmail
08:40 Part 2
09:18 Fremen Language
10:06 Mahdi
11:00 Fremen History
13:27 Jinn, Fedayeen, Usul, Muad'dib
14:14 Islam and Shai Hulud
15:33 Kwisatch Haderach
16:14 Paul as Savior

[BookOfJames]

Wanted to put this here since Im getting a lot of (understandable) concern about the word Jihad:

First, I agree that Jihad does not literally mean “holy war”. As I say in the video it translates to "struggle".

I also understand and respect how sensitive a subject the meaning of the word Jihad has become. It has been twisted and used by certain media, politicians, and individuals who wish to accuse Islam of inherently supporting violence and terrorism. That association with Jihad is offensive, racist, and simply incorrect.

However, among the many contexts in which it is used in the Quran and Ahadith, Jihad is sometimes associated with both defensive and offensive wars to protect Islam (again, it has no connection to terrorism).

This association is also very dependent on interpretation, which means many Muslims would not equate Jihad with any kind of military activity. But the fact is both historically and today many Muslims do see instances where Jihad can be describing a form of holy war.

While this requires in depth analysis of the Quran and Ahadith, breaking down things like the difference between lesser and greater Jihad, Jihad can sometimes be taken to mean religious war when talking about the whole of Islamic history and theology.

And the bottom line is that this is how Frank Herbert has used Jihad in Dune.

[khaledMohamed-tpwx]

Just pointing out one thing about Hajar and Ismail and how they are viewed in Islam. You mentioned she was Ibrahim's concubine and she was banished, that's the Jewish believe (obviously) not ours. In the Quran, the story that she was his wife (all the prophets had multiple wives) and by the command of God, Ibrahim took them to a specific valley in the desert and left them there. Hajar asked Ibrahim when he was leaving them "Did God ask you to do that?", he replied confirming. That valley was the valley of Makka (also called Backa). She had no water to drink and couldn't feed her infant. She saw the illusion of a lake in the distance due to the heat and ran to it only to find nothing but sand, then she saw the illusion again on the other side and ran again and found nothing but sand. She ran back and forth between two mountains for 7 times and found no water, eventually she fell to the ground and prayed God for help and at that moment a well of vast water erupted by her feet. That well is called Zamzam and it is still pumping thousands of Gallons per day to this day and it exists in Mecca next to the Kaaba which is the valley mentioned earlier, the Kaaba being the first ever building made for humans on this planet and predates Ibrahim. It is part of the Islamic pilgrimage to run between the two said mountains in Mecca as she did.

[kupkatEG]

As an Arab Muslim, I applaud you for taking the time to understand parts of our culture and explaining them in an understandable way to the public. thanks for making this amazing video!

[AyeshaAhmadPhoto]

This was SO MUCH BETTER than I expected, sorry lol, just wasn’t thinking it would be so in-depth when I clicked on it. Muslim fantasy/sci fi fan in my 40s here, and I first read Dune like 25 years ago, then reread in prep for the first movie. Since I can’t get my kids to read the books 😩 in order to experience all of this for themselves, I’m thrilled to find this video that delves into everything that resonated with me in the books as a Muslim, with such care, thoughtfulness, and comprehensiveness. Nicely done! I haven’t seen Part 2 yet - can’t wait!!

[zpdBBX]

My 2 centers as an Arabic Speaker, if anyone cares:

I'm not really sure about the Jazira part being a territory for a mission. Never heard of that to be honest, however Al-Jazira is often used to refer to the Arabian Peninsula. Hence the news station.

Al-G(h)aib is more like unknown than unseen. Unseen would be a completely different word. Lesan means tongue yes, but in this context it probably means something more like voice, but also speech or language or even like a source of knowledge. Maybe something like Metatron in Judeo Christianism, or even The Mouth of Sauron in LOTR, in sense where it is someone who speaks on behalf of (using the voice) of someone or something else. I think this also plays on the Islamic mythos, and several from the region, where this life and the afterlife are two different things or parallel planes of existence.

I think Paul is also mixed with St. Paul in Christianity. In terms of his role in spreading Christianity but not being the profit/Jesus himself. There is definitely a trope where Herbert mixed things from the MENA with things or events happening in other regions. We can see that also in Spice being oil, but also as you say hallucinogenic plants/sacred herbs in the New World. The connection here I'd say would be the interest of Europeans in that local resource and how this interferes with politics and development of the region. Colonization..etc. This is further seen in the entire self-fulfilling prophecy which was planted by the Beni Gesserit to control people. Not so different from the US and UK supporting right wing religious groups to control the MENA region, and just like Dune, it ends up biting them in the ass.

As an Arabic speaker, funny thing actually some of the Fremen sounded more "Arabic" than the rest. I can't check their backgrounds, but I would assume those are maybe Arabic speakers so the phonatics were easier or more natural.

That being said, I don't think Herbert meant anything super elaborate. I think he was just having fun with words and concepts and so. Which is great.

Awesome video,


Cheers

[AdiAfendi]

I'm sorry but in Islam Hajr was not the Prophet Abraham's concubine. She was his legally-married second wife after Sarah.

[Fatherbouba]

What a wonderful video. I find your meticulous research on Arabic and Islam impressive. I am from Algeria and it's great to see it mentioned. Keep it up!

[Ezellove]

Arabic is my first language. The moment I saw the movie, I was shocked by using a lot of Arabic words. It is obvious how much the author is influenced by Arab culture and history.

I appreciate this video a lot.

[AdastraRecordings]

The first to arrive on Arrakis where Egyptians and Suni wanderers. Contrary to what some have claimed, there's no cultural appropriation here, it's basically Lawrence of Arabia in space with descendants of Muslims, with a twist. Lisan al-Gaib. Nice breakdown.

I'll add some info for context regarding the assassins. The Assassins (originally called Hashashim, Hashishin, or Hashashiyyin) were a religious sect of Ismaili Shi'a Muslims (from the Nizari lineage) originating in Persia.

[hellomynameiszack]

As a Muslim fan of Dune this was an excellent video! Brb subscribing and checking out your other videos lol

[johnernest]

Your discussion of all of the words, themes, and inspirations from Dune is like watching a slow drip of Dune related interest over the past 30+ years suddenly have a torrential resurgence in the mainstream

Your final point as well with the omission of two key phrases really shows the distance between the writing of Dune, the adaptation of it today, and the ways times have changed, yet stayed exactly the same. A part of me understands the changes completely, while a part of me mourns it. Still, I'm glad this 2 parter adaptation has been such a success to rekindle the interest of people in this story we collectively know and love

[selboury]

This is probably the only review I have seen that went deeper in the linguistic and cultural parallels. I just wish DV did not remove the 2
most important words in the book! And also toned down the mysticism (playing it safe with
the audience I suppose...)

[aseefismail]

THANK YOU FOR THIS! This was honestly so cathartic to watch. The associations are so abundantly clear and in your face, it’s been tough explaining this to all the new dune fans because of the movie. So, I appreciate the time you took to make it and I loved all the details.

Personally, I’m extremely upset with the Fremen casting, not only because of the very obvious lineage they have, but also 1) People from the MENA region are in desperate need of representation in Hollywood 2) this was such a missed opportunity to have a conversation on how this story is playing out in real life TODAY.

[ibrahimbaydoun]

Yoou, my sir, earned a like and subscribe, and a fan for your videos, this video is, by far, the most informative and welll researched vid on this topic ive seen

[rafarania]

I'll point out as a Muslim that jihad doesn't always mean war in the literal sense. We believe that every mundane thing that we do can be seen as jihad. For example, studying and sharing your knowledge with others can be seen as jihad because you need to be serious about it. A mother birthing her child is also a jihad because she's sacrificing herself for her baby. Jihad doesn't always mean war, fixing yourself for the better and staying away from syaitan (basically, bad stuff in Islam) can also be seen as jihad.

Unfortunately, it's a term that has been misunderstood because of the terrorist. I understand what you are going there but I just want to point out.

[AndreasBaader]

What an incredible video! There's so much knowledge packed in it. I've watched the movies before but have been too lazy to read the books. However, now you've inspired me to want to read them all

[KamalLatif]

Thanks for a really well presented, researched, insightful and engaging discussion of my favourite Science Fiction novel. Kam

[Jay-klqz]

Best video related to this topic on YT.

[Honest_Question]

As a Muslim Palestinian Arab, I applaud you for doing your research well, and I can say it was a breath of fresh air in contrast to how we are usually talked about.

[brannyxx]

Just finished. Watching dune 2. And was looking for something exactly what you published. Thank you so much for a very thoughtful video to put your thoughts together for us who are trying to wrap our heads around this incredible universe which was written almost 50 years ago !