batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l11356-l11508
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l11356-l11508
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 11356-11508
start: '11356'
end: '11508'
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: The passage describes punishment by fire for sinners, divine warning and
judgment, the giving of the Book to Moses and guidance for Israel, signs in destroyed
generations and rain-fed land, the coming day of decision, the opening of Sura
XLI as a plain Arabic revelation, rejection by unbelievers, divine creation of
earth and heaven, the punishment of Ad and Themoud by storm, eschatological witness
by body parts, and punishment accompanied by Satans.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Those who grossly sin are assigned the fire as their abode, and whenever they
desire to escape they are turned back into it and told to taste its torment.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: A nearer punishment is said to precede a greater punishment, with the stated
possibility that the punished may turn in penitence.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The Book of the law is said to have been given to Moses and appointed as guidance
for the children of Israel.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Imms from among the children of Israel are appointed to guide by divine command
after endurance and firm belief in the signs.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: The Lord is said to decide between disputants on the day of resurrection.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: Destroyed earlier generations and rain driven to parched land producing corn
for cattle and people are presented as signs.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: When asked about the decision, the answer states that on that day the faith
of infidels will not avail them and they will have no further respite.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: Sura XLI begins with a revelation from the Compassionate and Merciful and
describes a book whose signs are made plain as an Arabic Koran for people of knowledge.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: Opponents say that their hearts are sheltered from the teachings, their ears
have deafness, and a veil stands between them and the speaker.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:10
text: The speaker is instructed to say he is only a man like the audience and that
it is revealed to him that their God is one God.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:11
text: God is described as creating the earth, placing firm mountains above it, blessing
it, distributing food in it, addressing heaven while it was smoke, and making
seven heavens with lights and guardian angels in the lower heaven.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:12
text: Heaven and Earth are addressed with a command to come willingly or unwillingly,
and both answer that they come obedient.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:13
text: Ad and Themoud are invoked as precedents for a warning about a tempest; apostles
came to them with the command to worship none but God, but the message was rejected.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:14
text: Ad are described as proud and unjust, and they are punished with an impetuous
blast on ill-omened days.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:15
text: Themoud are described as receiving guidance but preferring blindness, after
which a shameful punishment overtakes them; the believing and God-fearing are
rescued.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:16
text: Enemies of God are gathered to the fire in bands, and their ears, eyes, and
skins bear witness against their deeds.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:17
text: The skins say that God, who gives voice to all things, has given them a voice.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:18
text: Satans are appointed as fast companions for the unbelievers and are said to
make their present and future state seem fair and right to them.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:19
text: Unbelievers tell others not to hearken to the Koran but to keep up talking
so as to overpower the reader's voice.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: God / Lord / Compassionate / Merciful / Almighty / All-knowing
description: The divine speaker and actor who reveals, creates, commands, judges,
punishes, gives voice, and rescues.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Gross sinners / guilty ones / infidels / unbelievers / enemies of
God
description: People who reject signs or the Koran, are warned, ask about the decision,
disrupt the recitation, and are threatened with fire and punishment.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Moses
description: Recipient of the Book of the law.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Children of Israel
description: Community for whom the Book of the law is appointed as guidance.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Imms from among the children of Israel
description: Guides appointed by divine command after endurance and firm belief.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: The addressed speaker / messenger
description: The one instructed to say that he is a man like the audience and that
one God is revealed to him.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Heaven and Earth
description: Cosmic entities addressed by God and answering that they come obedient.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Ad
description: An earlier people described as proud, unjust, and punished by an impetuous
blast.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Themoud
description: An earlier people described as preferring blindness to guidance and
punished by a shameful tempest.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Apostles to Ad and Themoud
description: Messengers who came on every side telling the peoples to worship none
but God.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: The believing and the God-fearing
description: Those rescued when Themoud are punished.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Ears, eyes, and skins
description: Body parts that bear witness against people at the fire; the skins
speak by a voice given by God.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Satans
description: Fast companions appointed for the unbelievers, making their present
and future state seem fair and right.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: Peoples of Djinn and men before them
description: Earlier groups whose sentence is said to have become due.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: Divine judge and punisher
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage attributes vengeance, decision on resurrection day, punishment
by fire, and recompense to God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:2
label: Creator and cosmic commander
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God creates earth, mountains, food, heaven, seven heavens, lights, and commands
Heaven and Earth.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:3
label: Revealer and guide
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage describes revelation, signs, guidance, the Book given to Moses,
and the plain Arabic Koran.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: role:4
label: Warned or punished rejecters
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:14
basis: These figures reject signs, guidance, messengers, or the Koran and are associated
with punishment or a sentence due.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: Recipient of law-book
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The Book of the law is said to have been given to Moses.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:6
label: Guided community
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The Book is appointed as guidance for the children of Israel.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:7
label: Appointed guides
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Imms are appointed from among them to guide after divine command.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:8
label: Messenger or warner
assigned_to:
- fig:6
- fig:10
basis: The speaker is commanded to say and warn, and the apostles bring the command
to worship none but God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: role:9
label: Obedient cosmic respondents
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Heaven and Earth answer the divine command by saying they come obedient.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:10
label: Rescued righteous
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: The believing and God-fearing are explicitly said to be rescued.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:11
label: Witnesses against deeds
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: Ears, eyes, and skins bear witness against people at the fire.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:12
label: Misleading companions
assigned_to:
- fig:13
basis: Satans are appointed as fast companions and make states seem fair and right.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Fire as punishment-place
literal_form: Fire as the abode and torment of sinners and enemies of God.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:7
- id: sym:2
label: Rain on parched land
literal_form: Rain driven to parched land, bringing forth corn for cattle and people.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: Book / Arabic Koran / signs made plain
literal_form: A revealed book whose verses or signs are made plain, described as
an Arabic Koran for people of knowledge.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: Mountains on the earth
literal_form: Firm mountains placed on the earth and towering above it.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: Heaven as smoke
literal_form: Heaven described as smoke before being addressed and ordered.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: Seven heavens, lower-heaven lights, and guardians
literal_form: Seven heavens made in two days; the lower heaven furnished with lights
and guardian angels.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:7
label: Tempest and blast
literal_form: A tempest like that of Ad and Themoud; an impetuous blast sent against
Ad; a shameful punishment overtaking Themoud.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:8
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:8
label: Speaking body parts
literal_form: Ears, eyes, and skins bearing witness; skins speaking because God
gives voice to all things.
associated_figures:
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:9
label: Veil, sheltered hearts, and deaf ears
literal_form: Opponents describe their hearts as under shelter, their ears as deaf,
and a veil between themselves and the speaker.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Fire for sinners and denied escape
summary: Sinners are assigned fire as an abode, turned back when they try to escape,
and warned of nearer and greater punishment.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Moses, Israelite guidance, and resurrection decision
summary: The Book of the law is given to Moses as guidance for Israel; Imms are
appointed as guides; the Lord will decide disputes on the day of resurrection.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Signs in ruins and rain-fed land
summary: Destroyed generations and rain that makes parched land produce corn are
presented as signs; the unbelievers ask when the decision will occur and are told
no later faith will help them.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Plain revelation and rejection
summary: A plain Arabic revelation is announced with glad tidings and warnings;
most withdraw, describe barriers to hearing, and are told of one God and required
devotion.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Creation of earth, heaven, and ordered cosmos
summary: God creates and blesses the earth, sets mountains and food in it, addresses
heaven while it is smoke, receives the obedient answer of Heaven and Earth, and
makes seven heavens with lights and guardians.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:6
label: Warning by the precedents of Ad and Themoud
summary: The messenger warns of a tempest like those of Ad and Themoud; apostles
called the earlier peoples to worship God alone; the rejecters are punished while
the believing and God-fearing are rescued.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:7
label: Body parts testify at the fire
summary: Enemies of God are gathered to the fire, and their ears, eyes, and skins
testify against them; the skins explain that God gave them voice.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:8
label: Satans as companions and punishment for unbelievers
summary: Satans are appointed as companions who make states seem fair; a sentence
on earlier Djinn and men becomes due; unbelievers try to drown out the Koran and
are threatened with terrible punishment.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:13
- fig:14
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Eschatological fire with denied escape
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Sinners and enemies of God are consigned to fire, turned back when seeking
escape, and denied favor.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives the punishment image clearly, but does not elaborate
a full afterlife itinerary.
- id: motif:2
label: Resurrection-day decision and no further respite
taxonomy_refs:
- resurrection
- divine_judgment
basis: The Lord will decide disputes on the day of resurrection, and later faith
will not avail infidels on the day of decision.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The motif is judicial rather than a narrative resurrection episode.
- id: motif:3
label: Revealed guidance through book, signs, and appointed guides
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The Book is given to Moses and made guidance; the Arabic Koran is described
as a revelation with signs made plain; appointed Imms guide by command.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The available taxonomy term 'wisdom' is broad; the passage frames the
material primarily as revelation and guidance.
- id: motif:4
label: Creation by divine command and obedient cosmos
taxonomy_refs:
- chaos
basis: The earth is created and ordered, heaven is initially smoke, and Heaven and
Earth answer the divine command obediently before seven heavens are made.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The 'chaos' taxonomy reference is only approximate; the passage has smoke
and ordering but no explicit chaos-battle.
- id: motif:5
label: Rain renewing parched land as a sign
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Rain is driven to parched land and brings forth corn that feeds cattle and
people, serving as a sign for beholders.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: No closer supplied taxonomy reference is available beyond the water symbol.
- id: motif:6
label: Destruction of arrogant former peoples as warning
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Ad and Themoud reject messengers or guidance and are destroyed or overtaken
by tempest-like punishment, while believers are rescued.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage emphasizes exemplary punishment; it does not describe flood
renewal or a survivor-pair motif.
- id: motif:7
label: Body parts as witnesses in judgment
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Ears, eyes, and skins testify against the enemies of God, and the skins speak
because God gives them voice.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: This is a specialized judgment image not separately represented in the
supplied taxonomy.
- id: motif:8
label: Misleading demonic companions
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Satans are appointed as fast companions who make the present and future state
seem fair and right to unbelievers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: No specific supplied motif-family reference clearly matches this image.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: A translator's footnote in the passage compares an unspecified nearby time-related
statement with Sura xxii.46, Psalm 90:4, and Talmudic interpretation in Sanhedrin
96, 2.
claim_level: linguistic_similarity
target: Sura xxii.46; Psalm 90:4; Talmudic interpretation cited as Sanhedrin 96,
2
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: low
limitations: The main statement to which the note attaches is not included in the
quoted body of this excerpt, so the comparison cannot be securely tied to a motif
in the present passage.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 11356-11363
quote_or_summary: Sinners are assigned the fire, denied escape from it, told to
taste its torment, and threatened with nearer and greater punishment and vengeance.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary provided.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 11364-11373
quote_or_summary: The Book of the law is given to Moses as guidance for Israel;
Imms are appointed to guide; the Lord will decide disputes on resurrection day.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary provided.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 11374-11388
quote_or_summary: Destroyed generations and rain-fed parched land are signs; the
day of decision is asked about; on that day infidels' faith will not avail and
no respite remains.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary provided.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 11399-11416
quote_or_summary: Sura XLI is introduced as revelation and an Arabic Koran with
signs made plain; most withdraw, describe barriers of heart, ear, and veil, and
the speaker proclaims one God.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary provided.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 11417-11429
quote_or_summary: God creates the earth, places mountains, distributes food, addresses
heaven while it is smoke, receives obedient reply from Heaven and Earth, and makes
seven heavens with lights and guardian angels.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary provided.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 11430-11450
quote_or_summary: The messenger warns of a tempest like those of Ad and Themoud;
apostles call them to worship God; Ad are punished by blast, Themoud by shameful
punishment, and believers are rescued.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary provided.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 11451-11468
quote_or_summary: Enemies of God are gathered to fire; ears, eyes, and skins bear
witness; skins say God gave them voice; fire remains their abode.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary provided.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 11469-11508
quote_or_summary: Satans are appointed as companions for unbelievers; the sentence
on prior Djinn and men becomes due; unbelievers try to drown out the Koran; terrible
punishment and recompense are announced.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary provided.
- id: ev:9
type: note
locator: Footnote 2 within 11356-11508
quote_or_summary: The translator's note says to compare Sura xxii.46 and Psalm 90:4,
and mentions Talmudic interpretation in Sanhedrin 96, 2.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short note summarized.
confidence:
extraction: medium
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: low
notes: Extraction is based on the supplied English Rodwell passage only. Some figure
groupings combine recurring labels for rejecters and unbelievers within the excerpt.
The comparison claim is low-confidence because the cited footnote's anchor text
is not present in the excerpt body.
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 observations and interpretations are limited to the provided passage and metadata; no external verse numbering or additional tradition data was added.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg__l11356-l11508
passage_sha256=2ad756d9dc0d4572d65fdaa04c2fa0c891f1286a869d2b27678b015c61cbda8b