Dune 2's Lisan Al Gaib: Meaning & Prophecy Explained

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Dune: Part Two.

Summary Dune: Part Two delves deeper into Lisan al Gaib prophecy, setting up a Holy War and exploring Paul Atreides' destiny as the fabled messianic figure of the Fremen.

Focused on Paul's transformation and prophecy fulfillment, Dune: Part Two mostly aligns with Frank Herbert's original novel, though some changes involve Chani's more integral role in the Lisan al Gaib's journey.

Paul was not destined to become the Lisan al Gaib, though he was placed on the path and made the choice to become this figure regardless.

Dune: Part Two delves even deeper into the prophecy of the Lisan al Gaib, a messianic figure that proves to be integral to the story of Paul Atreides. While Dune: Part One laid the groundwork for the Lisan al Gaib prophecy, it remained focused on the political infighting between House Atreides, House Harkonnen, and the Imperium led by House Corrino. By the time of Dune: Part Two's climactic ending, however, the franchise leans ever deeper into the prophecy of the Lisan al Gaib.

The prophecy of the Lisan al Gaib creates a big source of debate for the film, primarily whether Paul Atreides is the hero or villain of Dune 2. Before this, the film focuses on Paul becoming one of the Fremen, the people of the desert on the planet of Arrakis. Despite some Dune 2 book changes, the narrative switches between Paul's Fremen integration and his uncovering of the Lisan al Gaib prophecy. With Dune: Part Two’s Holy War looming on the horizon, it is worth exploring what the Lisan al Gaib prophecy is, and what it means for Paul’s future.

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Related Dune 2’s Holy War: Book History & Movie Future Explained Dune: Part Two's tease of Paul's Holy War was a major element of the subsequent Dune novel, and it could set up a prospective Dune 3.

Lisan Al Gaib Is The Name Of The Fremen's Prophesied Messiah

The fabled being who will save the people of Arrakis is known as the Lisan al Gaib.

In Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two, the Lisan al Gaib refers to the prophesied messiah in Fremen culture. Translated to "The Voice from the Outer World," the Lisan al Gaib is supposedly an outsider of the Fremen who is slated to become a savior to the denizens of Arrakis. To the Fremen, the Lisan al Gaib is also known as Mahdi, translated as "The One Who Will Lead Us To Paradise." As is the case with several sci-fi franchises, the Lisan al Gaib is simply Dune's version of a Chosen One prophecy, though with some notable differences.

Lisan al Gaib can also be translated to "Giver of Water," explaining one of the reasons behind its messianic nature to the desert-dwelling Fremen.

The Bene Gesserit's Role The Lisan Al Gaib Prophecy Explained

Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two explore many intriguing aspects of the Chosen One tale.

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The Chosen One of Dune: Part Two's world is primarily different due to the interference of the Bene Gesserit. The Bene Gesserit are a sisterhood of powerful witch-like beings who aid the noble houses of Dune's universe. The Bene Gesserit believe in the coming of a being named Kwisatz Haderach, someone who can possess immeasurable power. Due to this belief, the Bene Gesserit have long interfered with the bloodlines of the royal houses in Dune's universe, leading to Paul Atreides' ascension.

The Bene Gesserit has long prepared for the coming of Kwisatz Haderach and groomed the people of Arrakis for his arrival. For decades, the Bene Gesserit have artificially built the prophecy of the Lisan al Gaib on Arrakis so that, when the time comes for Kwisatz Haderach to emerge, the Fremen can aid his ascension. In Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two, this being is Paul Atreides, with the ending of the latter film seeing the young prince become the fabled figure to the Fremen.

Dune: Part Two explores these elements through Paul’s integration into the Fremen Sietch, chronicling his ascension through visions and dreams to become the Lisan al Gaib.

According to the Lisan al Gaib prophecy from the Fremen's perspective, this messianic figure will have several signs that prove he is the One. For one, the Lisan al Gaib is said to be an outsider with the power of the Voice, with Paul applying to both. Secondly, the Lisan al Gaib is prophesied to learn the ways of the Fremen with ease, harnessing the power of the deserts of Arrakis. Dune: Part Two explores these elements through Paul’s integration into the Fremen Sietch, chronicling his ascension through visions and dreams to become the Lisan al Gaib.

Related Every Paul Atreides Dream & Vision In Dune 2 Explained Paul Atreides has many dreams and visions of the future in Dune: Part Two, providing teases of events that will or could happen to the universe.

How Dune 2 Changes The Lisan Al Gaib Prophecy

Some alterations to the prophecy from Frank Herbert's novel are made in Denis Villeneuve's adaptation.

Despite most of the overall plot points of Dune: Part Two's Lisan al Gaib prophecy aligning with Frank Herbert's novel, the former makes some slight changes to the latter. The primary way Dune: Part Two changes the prophecy from the book is through Chani's connection. Chani, played by Zendaya in Dune: Part Two's ensemble cast, reveals her Fremen name as Sihaya midway through Dune: Part Two's story. Chani tells Paul that this name means desert spring and that it ties to some kind of prophecy she does not put much faith in.

After falling into a coma upon drinking the poison, it is revealed that Chani's tears - the tears of the desert spring - can be mixed with the Water of Life to revive Paul.

However, Dune: Part Two reveals that the prophecy Siyaha applies to is none other than that of the Lisan al Gaib. As part of Paul's final ascension to become the messianic figure, he drinks a poison called the Water of Life, obtained from the Dune movies' giant sandworms. After falling into a coma upon drinking the poison, it is revealed that Chani's tears - the tears of the desert spring - can be mixed with the Water of Life to revive Paul. Therefore, Chani is vital in finalizing Paul's transformation into the Lisan al Gaib, a plot point not found in the Dune novel.

One other, smaller change to the Lisan al Gaib prophecy involves members of Paul's Fremen Sietch. In Dune: Part Two, a subplot of the film is that several Fremen from the north of Arrakis do not believe in the Lisan al Gaib. The film portrays these people as the younger members of the Sietch, while the older members like Stilgar believe in the coming of the messianic being. The film also notes that those from the south of Arrakis are true believers, not split between ideals like the Fremen of the north, with these nonbelievers not found in the book.

Why Stilgar Heavily Believed Paul Atreides Was Lisan Al Gaib

One of the biggest believers in Paul's ascension was Stilgar.

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As alluded to, the biggest believer in Paul's destiny is Stilgar, played by Javier Bardem in Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two. Stilgar belongs to the northern Fremen and is one of the older people in the tribe, separating him from the younger members like Chani who do not believe in a mysterious outsider coming to save them. Where Stilgar is concerned, several factors contribute to his overwhelming belief in Paul as the Lisan al Gaib, with much of Dune 2 showing Stilgar observing the signs that Paul is such a figure.

The "signs" that Stilgar witnesses in Dune: Part Two have been artificially planted by the Bene Gesserit in Fremen culture for centuries.

The first sign that caused Stilgar to believe in Paul was simply that he is an outsider who possesses the Voice and is the son of a Bene Gesserit. After Jessica drinks the Water of Life and survives - as the prophecy states will occur to the mother of the Lisan al Gaib - Stilgar begins to believe fully in Paul. When Paul is later resuscitated after drinking the Water of Life himself, Stilgar's belief is all but cemented. When combined with Paul's humility, a trait Stilgar associates with the Mahdi, this belief begins to turn to fanaticism.

The final elements of Paul's journey that allowed Stilgar's belief to endure involved the sandworms of Arrakis and Paul's prescient powers. After Paul rides a sandworm and proves he knows the ways of the desert, Stilgar recalls that the prophecy states the Lisan al Gaib will know Fremen culture as if he was born to it. After drinking the Water of Life, Paul's precognitive abilities enhance and lead to Dune: Part Two's now-iconic cave scene in which Paul stamps his authority on the Fremen, converting not only Stilgar but the entire planet of Arrakis to his cause as the Lisan al Gaib.

Related Why Stilgar Believes Paul Is Lisan Al Gaib: 6 Signs & Reasons In Dune 2 Although it's due to the Bene Gesserit that Paul cultivated power and influence on Arrakis, Stilgar was one of the Fremen who believed in the signs.

Was Paul Atreides Destined To Be The Lisan Al Gaib In Dune?

The Kwisatz Haderach could have been anyone, though Paul was placed on the path regardless.

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Paul's ascension into the Lisan al Gaib as shown in Dune: Part Two raises the question of whether he specifically was destined to do so. While Paul's journey across both films seems to imply that this is the case, it is technically untrue. Any person could have become the Lisan al Gaib, as hinted at in Dune: Part One. It is mentioned that the generation after Paul was supposed to house the Kwisatz Haderach according to the Bene Gesserit, were it not for Jessica's interference involving Paul.

The ramifications of Jessica placing Paul on the path of the Lisan al Gaib will be explored in Dune: Part Three.

This proves that Paul was not destined to become the Lisan al Gaib, but was placed on the path to become so nonetheless. Paul could have chosen not to walk this road, something that Dune: Part Two explores through his hesitance to start a Holy War using the Lisan al Gaib prophecy. However, Paul eventually embarks on the journey to become the Kwisatz Haderach by the end of Dune: Part Two, fulfilling a prophecy that could have applied to anyone had the now-Duke of House Atreides chosen not to.

Dune's Kwisatz Haderach Prophecy Explained

The Bene Gesserit have a bigger role in Dune's political landscape thanks to the Kwisatz Haderach.

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In the world of the Dune franchise, the Lisan al Gaib has another name, the Kwisatz Haderach. While the Fremen know the fabled being as the former, the latter name is what the Bene Gesserit have been striving to create for generations. The arrival of the Kwisatz Haderach has long been orchestrated by the order of witch-like beings, with the manipulation of bloodlines that has lasted centuries leading to the creation of a super-being. This super-being would possess the abilities of the Bene Gesserit only as a male, being inherently more powerful and leading the Bene Gesserit to ultimate power.

The origins of the Bene Gesserit and likely the Kwisatz Haderach will be explored in the upcoming Dune: Prophecy spin-off TV show.

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In Dune: Part One, it is established that Lady Jessica was supposed to bear Duke Leto Atreides a daughter. This daughter would then marry Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen and bear a son, who would become the Kwisatz Haderach. Due to her love for Leto, Jessica gave him the son he desired, bringing the Kwisatz Haderach about a generation earlier through Paul. Jessica then pushed Paul onto the path of the Kwisatz Haderach by making him convince the Fremen he was the Lisan al Gaib, with both names simply pointing to Dune: Part Two's messianic figure.