Muad'Dib

Muad'Dib is the name of two fictional entities within the realm of Frank Herbert's Dune.

The definition, found in the Terminology of the Imperium section of the Appendixes of Dune, defines muad'dib thus:
 * The adapted kangaroo mouse of Arrakis, a creature associated in the Fremen earth-spirit mythology with a design visible on the planet's second moon. This creature is admired by Fremen for its ability to survive in the open desert.

Symbolism
The symbolic definition is broader in complexity.

It is part the chosen name of manhood that Paul Atreides selects when he is accepted into the Fremen. It is one of two names that Paul maintains within the tribe. Stilgar explains that the first, Usul, means "strength of the base of the pillar". That it is his secret name, his troop name, that only Sietch Tabr may use and none other may presume.

The second, Muad'Dib, is that by which he is known openly. Stilgar explains that the choice pleases them and then goes on to explain:
 * Muad'Dib is wise in the ways of the desert. Muad'Dib creates his own water.  Muad'Dib hides from the sun and travels in the cool night.  Muad'Dib is fruitful and multiplies over the land.  Muad'Dib we call 'instructor-of-boys.'  That is a powerful base on which to build your life, Paul-Muad'Dib.

Paul is reluctant to throw away his full past and get rid of the full name his father gave him, which is why he first wished to be called Paul-Muad'Dib. Unfortunately, this name was soon forgotten and became simply "Muad'dib". Also, it was hoped that by keeping the name his father gave him, he could prevent the mass slaughter that would occur later in his name. Sadly, it was not.

The meanings of both Usul and Muad'Dib have powerful ramifications and a great deal of foreshadowing for the purpose Paul has on Arrakis.

Etymology
Muad'dib is derived from Arabic. It is a participle active. There are two possibilities. The root ’db is frequently suggested, meaning as partciple active mu’addib, a teacher, who brings cultivated manners and might be the author of fine literature. However Frank Herbert is known for word plays. The root consonants ‘dhb allow for a mu‘adhdhib, the 'punisher' or the 'torturer'. This should be considered as well. It might be hypothetical, but F. Herbert might especially be attracted by the combination of both meanings. Even now, his adviser in Arabic is not yet known.

For the Fremen language meaning of 'jumping mouse' muad'dib, the Near Eastern jerboa should be strongly considered, although F. Herbert wants to direct the immediate attention to the Northern American jumping mouse. Possibly the near eastern jumping mouse is not as famous as the American indegenous animal. But F. Herbert has a liking of misleading people in his universe. This jerboa is at home in the Arabian desert. It has a strong meaning in Arab mythology. One of the most important is that in Pre-Islamic times the jerboa, the small little animal, destroyed the centuries old monumental stone built dam of Marib in Yemen. The stream (sail al-Arim) tamed by the dam watered the two desert gardens (oases) of Marib and was its vital life stream. The mouse dug a hole underneath until it collapsed. After the historical destruction of the dam about 580 AD, life was not anymore possible in Marib. It became deserted. The destruction of this famous dam is even noticed in the Qur'an in the Surat Marib. In the context of F. Herberts Arabic-Islamic symbolism this connection - 'the small destroys the monumental', water, desert, changing of ecology by Muad'dib - makes much sense.

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