batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l10937-l11068
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l10937-l11068
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 10937-11068
start: '10937'
end: '11068'
translation: The Koran (Al-Qur'an), Rodwell translation
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: 'The passage presents parables and admonitions: two men and the destruction
of a wealthy man''s gardens; the present life compared to vegetation nourished
by heavenly water and then scattered as stubble; a day of judgment with mountains
removed, people gathered, and records produced; the angelic prostration before
Adam except for Eblis; rejection of false patrons and the sight of fire; warnings
to unbelievers; and the beginning of Moses'' journey with his servant to the confluence
of two seas, where a forgotten fish leads them back to a divinely taught servant.'
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A parable is set forth concerning two men, one of whom is given two fruitful
grape gardens surrounded by palms with corn fields between them.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: A river is made to flow amid the gardens, and the garden owner boasts to his
companion that he has more wealth and a mightier family.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The garden owner enters his garden and says he does not think it will perish
or that the Hour will come.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The companion challenges the garden owner's disbelief, names God as his Lord,
and advises acknowledging God's will and power upon entering the garden.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: The companion says God may give him something better and may send destruction
on the garden or cause its water to sink beyond reach.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: The garden owner's fruits are encompassed by destruction, his vines fall on
their trellises, and he regrets associating another god with his Lord.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: The present life is compared to water sent from Heaven mingling with earth's
vegetation, which then becomes dry stubble scattered by winds.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: Wealth and children are called adornments of the present life, while lasting
good works are described as better in recompense and hope.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: A future day is described when mountains pass away, the earth appears level,
and mankind is gathered without anyone left out.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: People are set before the Lord in ranks, each receives a book, and the wicked
are alarmed that the book leaves nothing unrecorded.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: The angels are commanded to prostrate before Adam, and all do so except Eblis,
who is described as of the Djinn and as revolting from his Lord's command.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: Those who take Eblis and his offspring as patrons rather than God are criticized,
and they are described as enemies to them.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:13
text: On a certain day, people are told to call upon the companions they associated
with God; the companions do not answer, and a valley of perdition is placed between
them.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:14
text: The wicked see the fire, expect to be flung into it, and find no escape.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:15
text: The Koran is said to present similitudes of every kind, while people are described
as caviling and rejecting guidance and warnings.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:16
text: Destroyed cities are mentioned as examples of communities destroyed after
becoming impious and being warned of coming destruction.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:17
text: Moses tells his servant he will not stop until reaching the confluence of
the two seas, even if he journeys for years.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:18
text: At the confluence, the two travelers forget their fish; later the servant
recalls forgetting it at a rock, saying Satan made him forget, and the fish took
a wondrous way into the sea.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:19
text: Moses identifies the fish's disappearance as the thing they sought, and the
two retrace their footsteps.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:20
text: Moses and his servant find one of God's servants who has received mercy and
knowledge, and Moses asks to follow him for instruction.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:21
text: The knowledgeable servant warns Moses that he will not be able to have patience
with matters whose meaning he does not comprehend.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: wealthy garden owner
description: One of two men; he has two productive gardens, boasts of his wealth
and family, doubts the garden's perishing and the coming of the Hour, and later
regrets associating another god with his Lord.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: the companion of the garden owner
description: The other man in the parable; he challenges the garden owner's disbelief,
affirms God as Lord, and warns that the garden may be destroyed or lose its water.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: God / the Lord
description: The creator, provider, judge, protector, sender of signs and warnings,
and giver of mercy and knowledge.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:8
- ev:10
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: mankind / the wicked
description: Human beings are gathered for judgment; the wicked are alarmed by their
book and later see the fire with no escape.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: angels
description: Beings commanded to prostrate before Adam; they all prostrate except
Eblis.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Adam
description: The figure before whom the angels are commanded to prostrate.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Eblis
description: A being of the Djinn who refuses the command to prostrate before Adam
and revolts from his Lord's behest; his offspring are mentioned as possible patrons
wrongly taken instead of God.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: companions joined with God
description: Those whom people deem to be gods and call upon; they do not answer.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Sent Ones
description: Messengers sent to announce and to warn.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Moses
description: A traveler who seeks the confluence of two seas, retraces his steps
after the fish's disappearance, and asks to follow a divinely taught servant for
guidance.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Moses' servant
description: Moses' traveling companion who forgets the fish at the rock and says
Satan made him forget to mention it.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: the fish
description: The forgotten fish that takes a wondrous way into the sea and marks
the point to which Moses and his servant return.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Satan
description: Named by Moses' servant as the one who made him forget to mention the
fish.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: one of God's servants
description: A servant to whom God has vouchsafed mercy and taught knowledge; Moses
asks to follow him, and he warns Moses about lack of patience.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
roles:
- id: role:1
label: boastful owner and chastened skeptic
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: He boasts of wealth and family, doubts the Hour, and later sees his garden
destroyed and regrets associating another god with his Lord.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:2
label: admonishing believer
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: He challenges disbelief, affirms God as Lord, and warns of divine power over
the garden and its water.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: creator, judge, protector, and giver of knowledge
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The passage attributes creation, judgment, protection, warning, compassion,
destruction, and instruction with knowledge to God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:8
- ev:10
- id: role:4
label: assembled and judged humans
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Mankind is gathered before the Lord; the wicked receive their book, see the
fire, and find no escape.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: role:5
label: obedient prostrators
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The angels prostrate before Adam when commanded, except for Eblis.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:6
label: recipient of commanded prostration
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Adam is the one before whom the angels are commanded to prostrate.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:7
label: rebel and enemy patron
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Eblis refuses the command, is of the Djinn, revolts, and he and his offspring
are described as enemies when taken as patrons instead of God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: unresponsive false companions
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: They are called upon as companions joined with God, but they do not answer.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:9
label: announcers and warners
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The Sent Ones are said to be sent only to announce and to warn.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:10
label: seeker of guidance and knowledge
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Moses journeys to the confluence, recognizes the sign of the fish, and asks
to follow the servant for instruction.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: role:11
label: forgetful traveling companion
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: The servant forgets the fish at the rock and reports that Satan made him
forget to mention it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:12
label: wondrous route marker
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: The fish takes a wondrous path into the sea, prompting Moses and his servant
to return to the place they sought.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:13
label: cause of forgetfulness
assigned_to:
- fig:13
basis: Moses' servant says none but Satan made him forget to mention the fish.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:14
label: divinely taught guide
assigned_to:
- fig:14
basis: He has received mercy and knowledge from God and warns Moses about patience
and incomprehension.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: fruitful gardens
literal_form: two gardens of grape vines, surrounded by palm trees, with corn fields
between them
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: river among the gardens
literal_form: a river flowing in the midst of the gardens
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: sunk water
literal_form: the garden's water becoming deeply sunk and inaccessible
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:4
label: heavenly water and dry stubble
literal_form: water sent from Heaven, vegetation mingled with it, and dry stubble
scattered by winds
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:5
label: passing mountains
literal_form: mountains caused to pass away before the earth appears as a level
plain
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: book of deeds
literal_form: a book put into each person's hand that leaves neither small nor great
unnoted
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:7
label: valley of perdition
literal_form: a valley placed between the people and the companions they joined
with God
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:8
label: fire seen by the wicked
literal_form: the fire into which the wicked expect to be flung
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:9
label: confluence of the two seas
literal_form: the meeting-place of two seas sought by Moses
associated_figures:
- fig:10
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:10
label: forgotten fish
literal_form: a fish forgotten by the travelers that takes its way into the sea
wondrously
associated_figures:
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:11
label: rock of rest
literal_form: the rock where Moses and his servant rested and where the servant
forgot the fish
associated_figures:
- fig:10
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: parable of the two gardens
summary: A wealthy man with two fertile gardens boasts to his companion, doubts
that his garden or the Hour will come to an end, and is admonished to acknowledge
God.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: destruction and regret of the garden owner
summary: The garden owner's fruits are destroyed, the vines fall on their trellises,
he regrets associating another god with his Lord, and he has no host or self-help
apart from God.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: similitude of present life
summary: Present life is compared to vegetation nourished by water from Heaven and
then becoming wind-scattered stubble; wealth and children are contrasted with
lasting good works.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: gathering and book of judgment
summary: Mountains pass away, the earth is leveled, mankind is gathered before the
Lord in ranks, and the wicked fear the record of their deeds.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Adam and the revolt of Eblis
summary: The angels are told to prostrate before Adam; all obey except Eblis, who
revolts and is identified as of the Djinn.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: false companions and fire
summary: People are told to call upon the companions they deemed gods; they receive
no answer, a valley of perdition is set between them, and the wicked see the fire
with no escape.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:7
label: warnings, rejection, and destroyed cities
summary: The passage says the Koran gives many similitudes, that messengers announce
and warn, that some reject guidance, and that impious cities were destroyed after
warning.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:9
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:8
label: Moses at the confluence and the wondrous fish
summary: Moses and his servant travel to the confluence of two seas, forget a fish
at a rock, learn that it took a wondrous path into the sea, and retrace their
steps.
figure_refs:
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
- fig:13
symbol_refs:
- sym:9
- sym:10
- sym:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: scene:9
label: Moses meets the divinely taught servant
summary: Moses finds a servant given mercy and knowledge by God, asks to follow
him for instruction, and is warned that he will lack patience with matters he
does not comprehend.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:10
- fig:14
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: boastful prosperity followed by divine loss
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
- wisdom
basis: The rich garden owner boasts, doubts the Hour, fails to acknowledge God properly,
and then sees his garden destroyed and regrets his association of another god
with his Lord.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents this explicitly as a parable, but the precise external
motif family is not stated in the passage.
- id: motif:2
label: present life as transient vegetation
taxonomy_refs:
- seasonal_cycle
- wisdom
basis: The present life is likened to water from Heaven producing vegetation that
soon becomes dry stubble scattered by winds, followed by a contrast between worldly
adornment and lasting good works.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: This is a simile within the passage rather than a narrative episode.
- id: motif:3
label: eschatological gathering and book of deeds
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
- resurrection
basis: A day is described when mountains pass away, the earth is leveled, mankind
is gathered, each receives a book, and the wicked confront a complete record of
deeds.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The passage emphasizes judgment and record rather than a detailed afterlife
itinerary.
- id: motif:4
label: primordial refusal before Adam
taxonomy_refs:
- trickster_boundary
basis: Eblis refuses the command given to the angels to prostrate before Adam and
is described as a rebel and enemy patron.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The available taxonomy has no exact reference for angelic refusal or satanic
rebellion; the assigned family is approximate.
- id: motif:5
label: false patrons fail at judgment
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: People call upon companions they had associated with God, but the companions
do not answer; a valley of perdition separates them, and the wicked see the fire.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not name the companions beyond their status as beings
deemed gods.
- id: motif:6
label: quest for divinely taught hidden knowledge
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
- wisdom
basis: Moses journeys to a liminal water-place, follows the sign of the fish, finds
a servant endowed with mercy and knowledge, and asks to follow him for instruction
in guidance.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: Only the beginning of the instructional episode is included in this line
range.
- id: motif:7
label: warnings rejected before destruction
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The passage states that messengers are sent to announce and warn, that some
reject signs and guidance, and that cities were destroyed after becoming impious
and being warned.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The destroyed cities are not named in this passage segment.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 10937-10945
quote_or_summary: A parable introduces two men; one is given two fruitful grape
gardens with palms, corn fields, and a river, and he boasts of superior wealth
and family.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 10946-10959
quote_or_summary: The garden owner says the garden will not perish and doubts the
Hour; his companion challenges his disbelief, affirms God as Lord, advises saying
that all is by God's will, and warns of heavenly destruction or sunk water.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 10960-10965
quote_or_summary: The fruits are destroyed, the owner laments his expense and regrets
joining another god to his Lord; he has no host to help him and cannot help himself.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 10966-10972
quote_or_summary: Present life is compared to water sent from Heaven that mingles
with earth's vegetation before it becomes dry stubble scattered by winds; wealth
and children are worldly adornments, while lasting good works are better.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 10973-10981
quote_or_summary: A day is described when mountains pass away, earth is leveled,
mankind is gathered and set before the Lord in ranks, each receives a book, and
the wicked fear its complete record.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 10982-10987
quote_or_summary: The angels are commanded to prostrate before Adam; all do so except
Eblis, who is of the Djinn and revolts from his Lord's command; taking him and
his offspring as patrons is condemned.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 10988-10995
quote_or_summary: God says the false companions deemed gods are to be called upon,
but they will not answer; a valley of perdition is placed between them, and the
wicked see the fire with no escape.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 10996-11010
quote_or_summary: The Koran is said to present many similitudes; messengers announce
and warn; rejectors cavil, scorn signs, have veils over their hearts and heaviness
in their ears, and destroyed cities are cited as warned before destruction.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 11011-11025
quote_or_summary: Moses and his servant travel to the confluence of two seas; they
forget a fish at a rock, later recall that it took a wondrous path into the sea,
and return by their footsteps.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 11026-11033
quote_or_summary: Moses and his servant find one of God's servants who has received
mercy and knowledge; Moses asks to follow him for guidance, and the servant warns
that Moses cannot be patient with incomprehensible matters.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is based directly on the supplied passage. Motif taxonomy
assignments are cautious because several passage patterns do not have exact available
taxonomy labels. No comparison claims were added because the passage segment itself
does not establish external comparison, historical contact, or common inheritance.
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: |-
Used only the supplied passage and metadata. Quotations were avoided in favor of concise summaries.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg__l10937-l11068
passage_sha256=921eeb45e39165966c9060386e3bd3fa08ee891b22985a97f29b397db560d443