batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l10798-l10935
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l10798-l10935
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
passage_locator:
label: PUBLIC SERVICES, / AND EMINENT LITERARY ATTAINMENTS, / THE TRANSLATOR. /
PREFACE; lines 10798-10935
start: '10798'
end: '10935'
translation: The Koran (Al-Qur'an)
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Sura XVIII opens by praising God for sending down the Book as warning and
promise. It recounts the youths who seek refuge in a cave from their people, are
made to sleep for many years, are preserved there with their dog at the entrance,
and are awakened to question how long they stayed. One is sent to the city with
a coin for food while avoiding discovery. Their case becomes known as a sign that
God's promise and the Hour are true; people dispute their number and propose building
over them, while the text says God knows best. The passage also instructs the
addressee to say 'if God will,' to recite the Book, and contrasts punishment by
fire and scalding water with gardens, rivers, gold, silk, and thrones for believers.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: God is said to have sent down the Book to his servant as a direct warning
and announcement of reward.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: All that is on earth is described as adornment made for testing mankind, and
it is to be reduced to dust.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The youths go to the cave and pray for mercy and right ordering of their affair.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: God causes the youths to remain in deaf sleep in the cave for many years and
later awakens them.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The youths declare that their Lord is Lord of the heavens and earth and reject
calling on any other god.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: The sun is described as passing to the right of the cave at sunrise and leaving
them on the left at sunset while they are in a spacious chamber.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: The sleepers would have seemed awake, though sleeping; they are turned right
and left; their dog lies at the entry with paws outstretched.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: On awakening, the youths question one another about the duration of their
stay and decide that God knows best.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: One of the youths is sent with a coin into the city to obtain pure food while
avoiding discovery.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: The youths fear that if found, they will be stoned or returned to the religion
of their people.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: Their adventure is made known so that people may learn that God's promise
is true and that the Hour is not doubtful.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: People dispute what should be done concerning the youths; some propose a building
over them, and others propose a place of worship.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:13
text: Different numbers are reported for the youths and their dog, but the addressee
is told that God best knows their number.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:14
text: The passage states that the youths tarried in their cave three hundred years
and nine years over, while also saying God best knows how long they tarried.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:15
text: The addressee is told not to say he will do a thing tomorrow without adding
'If God will.'
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:16
text: Offenders are threatened with fire whose smoke enwraps them and with water
like molten brass that scalds.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:17
text: Believers who do right are promised gardens of Eden with rivers, bracelets
of gold, green silk, brocade, and thrones.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: God
description: The divine speaker and actor who sends down the Book, guides, knows
hidden matters, preserves and awakens the youths, and rewards or punishes.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: the servant / addressee
description: The addressed recipient commanded to publish what is revealed, remember
God, say 'If God will,' and avoid uncertain disputes.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: the youths / Inmates of the Cave and of Al Rakim
description: Believing youths who separate from their people, take refuge in the
cave, sleep for many years, awaken, and become a sign.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: the dog
description: The dog associated with the youths, lying at the cave entry with paws
outstretched and included in disputed counts.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: the youths' people
description: The people from whom the youths separate; they are described as worshipping
other gods and as a danger if the youths are discovered.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: one youth sent to the city
description: One of the youths chosen to take a coin into the city to look for pure
food without disclosing the group.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: fellow citizens / disputants
description: People among whom the adventure becomes known and who dispute what
happened and what to build over the youths.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: offenders
description: Those for whom fire and scalding water are prepared.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: believers who do right
description: Those promised gardens, rivers, adornment, garments, and thrones.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
roles:
- id: role:1
label: divine revealer
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God sends down the Book to his servant as warning and announcement.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: divine protector and awakener
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God causes the youths to sleep in the cave, turns them, and awakens them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:3
label: divine judge and knower of hidden matters
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God is said to know the number and duration, possess the secrets of heaven
and earth, and prepare reward or punishment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: role:4
label: recipient of revelation and instruction
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The addressee is told to recite what has been revealed and to qualify future
intentions by God's will.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: protected sleepers and witnesses
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The youths believe, seek refuge, are made to sleep and awaken, and their
case teaches that God's promise and the Hour are true.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:6
label: threshold animal companion
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The dog lies at the cave entry with outstretched paws and is counted with
the sleepers in reported numbers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- id: role:7
label: hostile community
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The youths' people worship other gods, and the youths fear being stoned or
forced back to their faith if found.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:8
label: secret food seeker
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: One youth is sent with a coin to find pure food and avoid discovery.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:9
label: public interpreters of the sign
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The fellow citizens learn of the adventure and dispute the event, including
whether to build over the youths.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:10
label: recipients of punishment
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Fire and scalding water are prepared for offenders.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:11
label: recipients of reward
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Believers who do right receive gardens, rivers, adornment, and thrones.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: cave
literal_form: The cave and its spacious chamber where the youths sleep for many
years.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- cave
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:8
- id: sym:2
label: Al Rakim
literal_form: Named together with the Inmates of the Cave as part of the wondrous
sign.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: sun's path around the cave
literal_form: The sun passes on the right at rising and leaves the sleepers on the
left at setting.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: dog at the entry
literal_form: The dog lies at the cave entrance with paws outstretched.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:5
label: coin
literal_form: The coin carried by one of the youths into the city to buy food.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: three hundred and nine years
literal_form: The stated duration of the youths' tarrying in the cave.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:7
label: fire and scalding water
literal_form: Fire with smoke and water like molten brass prepared for offenders.
associated_figures:
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:8
label: gardens and rivers
literal_form: Gardens of Eden under whose shades rivers flow.
associated_figures:
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:9
label: gold bracelets and green garments
literal_form: Bracelets of gold, green robes of silk, and rich brocade worn by the
rewarded believers.
associated_figures:
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Book sent as warning and promise
summary: God is praised for sending down the direct Book to warn of woe and announce
lasting reward, while the earth's adornment is described as a test destined for
dust.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Youths take refuge in the cave
summary: The youths pray for mercy and separate from their people and their worship,
then turn to the cave where God will order their affair.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Miraculous sleep and preservation
summary: The youths remain asleep for many years in the cave, with the sun's movement
described, God turning them right and left, and the dog lying at the entry.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Awakening and secret errand
summary: The youths awaken and debate the length of their stay; one is sent with
a coin into the city to buy pure food without revealing them, because discovery
may bring stoning or forced return to their former faith.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Public discovery and dispute
summary: The adventure becomes known as evidence that God's promise and the Hour
are true; people dispute what happened, what to build, and the number of the youths
and their dog.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:6
label: Instruction on uncertainty and divine will
summary: The addressee is told to avoid definitive claims about future action without
saying 'If God will,' to remember God, and to acknowledge that God best knows
the sleepers' duration and hidden matters.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:7
label: Punishment and reward
summary: The passage contrasts offenders' fire and scalding drink with believers'
gardens, rivers, adornment, garments, and thrones.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
- sym:8
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: refuge in a cave from a hostile community
taxonomy_refs:
- cave
basis: Believing youths separate from their people and their worship and are told
to betake themselves to the cave where God will unfold mercy and order their affairs.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The passage frames the cave as the chosen refuge but does not provide
external geographic identification.
- id: motif:2
label: miraculous sleep and awakening as a divine sign
taxonomy_refs:
- resurrection
basis: God makes the youths sleep for many years, awakens them, and later makes
their adventure known so people may learn that God's promise and the Hour are
true.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The youths are described as sleeping rather than dying, so the resurrection
motif is analogical within the passage's own link to the Hour.
- id: motif:3
label: divine hidden knowledge over disputed human reports
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The passage reports disputes over the sleepers' number and duration, then
repeatedly says God best knows their number, duration, and the secrets of the
heavens and earth.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: This is a theological-discursive pattern rather than a narrative action
motif.
- id: motif:4
label: conditional human intention under divine will
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The addressee is commanded not to say he will do something tomorrow without
adding 'If God will,' and to remember the Lord when he has forgotten.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: This is an ethical-religious instruction embedded after the cave narrative,
not a separate mythic episode.
- id: motif:5
label: eschatological judgment by punishment and reward
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Offenders are threatened with enwrapping fire and scalding water, while believers
who do right are promised gardens of Eden, rivers, adornment, and thrones.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents final outcomes but not a detailed afterlife journey
map.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The passage itself acknowledges competing reports about the cave sleepers
and instructs the addressee not to seek clarification from Christians, indicating
that the cave-sleepers narrative is treated as a known disputed tradition beyond
the immediate recitation.
claim_level: same_motif
target: Christian-associated reports concerning the cave sleepers' number and story
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage does not name a specific Christian text or give details
of the external version, so no historical-contact or source claim can be made
from this evidence alone.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 10798-10935; Sura XVIII opening
quote_or_summary: God sends down the Book to his servant as a direct warning and
promise; earthly adornment tests human works and will be reduced to dust.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 10798-10935; Inmates of the Cave introduced
quote_or_summary: The Inmates of the Cave and Al Rakim are presented as a wondrous
sign; the youths enter the cave, pray for mercy and right order, and are struck
with deafness in the cave for many years.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 10798-10935; youths' declaration and separation
quote_or_summary: The youths are believers whose hearts are strengthened; they confess
the Lord of heavens and earth, reject other gods, and separate from their people
before taking refuge in the cave.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 10798-10935; preservation in the cave
quote_or_summary: The sun passes to the right of the cave at rising and left at
setting; the sleepers appear awake, are turned right and left, and their dog lies
at the entry with paws outstretched.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 10798-10935; awakening and errand
quote_or_summary: After awakening, the youths debate whether they have stayed a
day or part of a day, say God knows best, and send one with a coin to find pure
food while avoiding discovery, fearing stoning or forced return.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 10798-10935; public discovery
quote_or_summary: Their adventure is made known so fellow citizens may learn that
God's promise and the Hour are true; people dispute the matter and some propose
a building or place of worship over them.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 10798-10935; disputed number
quote_or_summary: Reports say the sleepers were three, five, or seven with their
dog as an additional member; the addressee is told God best knows the number and
not to ask any Christian concerning them.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 10798-10935; divine will and duration
quote_or_summary: The addressee is told not to say he will do a thing tomorrow without
'If God will'; the youths are said to have tarried three hundred years and nine
over, while God best knows the duration and hidden things.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 10798-10935; punishment of offenders
quote_or_summary: For offenders, fire with enwrapping smoke is prepared; if they
seek help, they receive water like molten brass that scalds.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 10798-10935; reward of believers
quote_or_summary: Believers who do right are promised gardens of Eden with rivers,
bracelets of gold, green silk, rich brocade, and thrones.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: The passage provides clear narrative elements for the cave sleepers and explicit
eschatological contrasts. Taxonomy alignment is strongest for cave, resurrection-as-sign,
and divine judgment; comparison is limited to the passage's own reference to Christian-associated
inquiry and disputed reports.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-29'
notes: |-
All claims are based only on the supplied passage and metadata; no external identification of the cave sleepers tradition has been added.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg__l10798-l10935
passage_sha256=3794aefbdf1cdcb10172c9e17a77e43be216f9e32b489661f43fc77aa1f0eb53