Dune

Just started reading this seriously after attempting it and watching the sci-fi movie a dozen times or more (I love it!). Honestly I'm finding it to be more amazing by far than the SF thing. I was curious, however, I'm a Religious Studies major, and am struck by how much religion is woven into this, specifically Islamic prophecy. In Islam there is a figure called the Muad'Dib, who is essentially the Muslim counterpart to the second coming of Christ. Anyone know how much Herbert knew about Islam, and if he wove it into his story? Or was this stuff just coincidental.

I think we can rule out coincidental.

You may be interested in this site - Dune and Islam.

Norman Spinrad has some interesting things to say about Islam in the book as well - Dune Intro.