batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l15225-l15349
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l15225-l15349
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 15225-15349
start: '15225'
end: '15349'
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 contrasts scoffing unbelief with belief and good works; describes
God as creator and sustainer of heavens, earth, mountains, animals, rain, plants,
night, day, sun, moon, and ships at sea; recounts wisdom given to Lokman and his
admonitions to his son; warns against associating other gods with God, arrogance,
and inherited error; affirms return to God, divine knowledge of hidden things,
resurrection, judgment, the Hour, and the limits of human knowledge.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A man is described as buying an idle tale in order to mislead others from
God's way and turn it to scorn, and a shameful punishment is announced for such
a person.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Those who believe and do good works are said to dwell forever in gardens of
delight as God's true promise.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: God is described as creating the heavens without visible pillars, placing
mountains on the earth lest it move, scattering animals, sending rain from heaven,
and causing noble plants to grow.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: Wisdom is bestowed upon Lokman, who is taught thankfulness to God.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Lokman warns his son not to join other gods with God and calls such joining
a great impiety.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: The passage commands gratitude to God and parents, mentions the mother's weakness
during gestation and weaning after two years, and instructs non-obedience if parents
urge association of others with God.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: Lokman tells his son that God will bring everything to light even if it is
the weight of a mustard seed hidden in a rock, in the heavens, or in the earth.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: Lokman instructs his son to observe prayer, enjoin right, forbid wrong, be
patient, avoid arrogance, moderate his pace, and lower his voice.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: Some people dispute about God without knowledge, guidance, or an illuminating
Book, and prefer the religion in which they found their fathers.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:10
text: Satan is said to bid such people to the torment of the flame.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:11
text: One who turns toward God in self-surrender and does good is described as having
laid hold on a sure handle.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:12
text: All trees on earth becoming pens and the sea being swelled into seven seas
of ink would not exhaust God's words.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:13
text: Human creation and quickening hereafter are said to be as those of a single
individual.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:14
text: God is described as causing night to enter day and day to enter night, and
as subjecting the sun and moon to appointed courses.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: obs:15
text: Ships speed on the sea through God's favour, and when waves cover people like
dark shadows, they call on God sincerely; when safely landed, some halt between
two opinions.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: obs:16
text: A day is warned of on which father will not atone for son nor son for father.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: obs:17
text: God is said to possess knowledge of the Hour, to send down rain, to know what
is in wombs, and to know where each soul will die, while no soul knows what it
will gain tomorrow or in what land it will die.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: God
description: The creator, sustainer, knower, judge, and recipient of gratitude and
self-surrender in the passage.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:12
- ev:16
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Man who buys an idle tale
description: A person who buys an idle tale to mislead others from God's way and
turns it to scorn.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Believers and doers of good works
description: People who believe and work good works and are promised gardens of
delight.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Lokman
description: A figure upon whom wisdom is bestowed and who gives moral and religious
admonitions to his son.
role_refs:
- role:7
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Lokman's son
description: The son addressed by Lokman in warnings and instructions.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Parents and mother
description: Parents are to be treated with gratitude; the mother is described as
carrying the child with weakness upon weakness and weaning after two years.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: People who dispute without knowledge
description: People who dispute about God without knowledge and follow ancestral
religion when told to follow what God sent down.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Satan
description: A deceiving figure said to bid people to the torment of the flame.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: People at sea
description: People aboard ships who call upon God when waves cover them and then
are divided in response after safe landing.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Father and son on the warned day
description: Kinship figures who cannot atone for one another on the day of warning.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
roles:
- id: role:1
label: creator of heavens and earth
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God is described as creating the heavens and earth and as the owner of whatever
is in them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:2
label: giver of wisdom and guidance
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Wisdom is bestowed upon Lokman, and divine signs, commands, and guidance
are referenced.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:3
label: knower of hidden things
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God is said to bring hidden things to light, know secrets, know the Hour,
know what is in wombs, and know where souls die.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:16
- id: role:4
label: judge and punisher
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage announces punishments, return to God, disclosure of deeds, and
a day on which kin cannot atone for each other.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:15
- ev:16
- id: role:5
label: misleader or unguided disputer
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:7
basis: One figure misleads through an idle tale; another group disputes without
knowledge and clings to ancestral religion against revelation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:9
- id: role:6
label: righteous recipients of promised delight
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Believers who do good works are promised gardens of delight forever.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:7
label: wise admonisher
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Lokman receives wisdom and instructs his son through warnings and ethical
commands.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: role:8
label: thankful servant
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Lokman is taught to be thankful to God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:9
label: instructed child
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The son receives Lokman's instructions about worship, conduct, patience,
arrogance, pace, and voice.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:10
label: honored parents
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The passage commands gratitude to God and to parents and describes the mother's
burdens.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:11
label: deceiver toward punishment
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Satan is said to bid people to the torment of the flame.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:12
label: crisis supplicants
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: People at sea call upon God sincerely when waves cover them and then some
waver after safe landing.
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: role:13
label: non-substitutable kin at judgment
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Father and son cannot atone for one another on the warned day.
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: mountains stabilizing the earth
literal_form: mountains placed on the earth lest it move
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:2
label: rain from heaven
literal_form: rain sent down from Heaven causing plants to grow
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: noble plants
literal_form: every kind of noble plant growing from rain
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: mustard seed hidden in rock, heavens, or earth
literal_form: the weight of a grain of mustard-seed hidden in a rock or in the heavens
or in the earth
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:5
label: sure handle
literal_form: a sure handle laid hold of by one who turns toward God in self-surrender
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:6
label: flame of torment
literal_form: the torment of the flame
associated_figures:
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:7
label: trees as pens and seas as ink
literal_form: all trees on earth becoming pens and the sea swelled into seven seas
of ink
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: sym:8
label: night and day interpenetration
literal_form: night coming in upon day and day coming in upon night
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: sym:9
label: sun and moon under appointed courses
literal_form: sun and moon subjected to laws and speeding to appointed goals
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: sym:10
label: ships at sea
literal_form: ships speeding on the sea through God's favour
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: sym:11
label: waves like dark shadows
literal_form: waves covering people like dark shadows
associated_figures:
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: sym:12
label: wombs and hidden future
literal_form: what is in the wombs, what a soul gains tomorrow, and the land where
a soul dies
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Warning against misleading tales and rejection of signs
summary: A man uses an idle tale to mislead from God's way and turns away when signs
are rehearsed; punishment is announced, while believers who do good are promised
gardens of delight.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Creation and provision as divine signs
summary: God creates the heavens without visible pillars, sets mountains upon the
earth, scatters animals, sends rain, and causes plants to grow, then challenges
others to show what they have created.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Lokman's instruction to his son
summary: Lokman, having been given wisdom, teaches thankfulness and warns his son
against associating other gods with God, urges prayer and ethical conduct, and
counsels humility and moderation.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:4
label: Ancestral religion, Satan, and self-surrender
summary: Some people dispute about God without knowledge and choose ancestral religion;
Satan is said to invite them to the flame, while the good person who surrenders
to God grasps a sure handle.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: scene:5
label: Inexhaustible divine words and cosmic order
summary: The passage states that all trees as pens and seven seas as ink could not
exhaust God's words, and describes resurrection, night and day, and sun and moon
moving to appointed goals.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
- sym:8
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- ev:13
- id: scene:6
label: Ships, storm, and wavering gratitude
summary: Ships move on the sea by God's favour; when waves cover people like shadows
they call on God sincerely, but after safe landing some waver between positions.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:10
- sym:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: scene:7
label: The warned day and hidden knowledge
summary: People are told to fear a day when father and son cannot atone for one
another; God alone knows the Hour, the wombs, tomorrow's gain, and the land of
each person's death.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- ev:16
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Wisdom instruction from a revered sage to a child
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: Lokman receives wisdom and gives his son religious and ethical instructions
about monotheism, gratitude, prayer, patience, humility, and moderation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives admonitions rather than a narrative quest or extended
sage biography.
- id: motif:2
label: Divine judgment and inescapable return to God
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The passage announces punishments, states that people return to God and will
be told of their deeds, and warns of a day when kin cannot atone for one another.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:15
- ev:16
confidence: high
cautions: The passage is exhortative and theological; it does not present a detailed
judgment scene.
- id: motif:3
label: Resurrection or quickening after creation
taxonomy_refs:
- resurrection
basis: Human creation and later quickening are explicitly mentioned and compared
to those of a single individual.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
confidence: high
cautions: Only a brief doctrinal statement is given in this passage.
- id: motif:4
label: Creator orders and sustains the cosmos
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: God creates the heavens and earth, sets mountains, sends rain, grows plants,
orders night and day, and subjects sun and moon to appointed courses.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:13
confidence: high
cautions: No single available taxonomy family directly captures the full creation-and-cosmic-order
pattern except related symbols.
- id: motif:5
label: Storm at sea prompting sincere supplication and later wavering
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: People call on God sincerely when waves cover them at sea, but after safe
landing some halt between two opinions.
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
confidence: medium
cautions: Although ships and water are prominent, the passage does not describe
an ark or flood-renewal narrative.
- id: motif:6
label: Inexhaustibility of divine words through cosmic writing imagery
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: All trees as pens and seven seas as ink are said not to exhaust God's words.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
confidence: medium
cautions: This is a metaphorical image of divine speech and knowledge rather than
an enacted mythic episode.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 15225-15233
quote_or_summary: A man buys an idle tale to mislead from God's way, scorns the
signs, turns away as if deaf, and is threatened with shameful and afflictive punishment.
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 15234-15239
quote_or_summary: Those who believe and do good works are promised gardens of delight
and everlasting dwelling therein.
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 15240-15248
quote_or_summary: God creates the heavens without visible pillars, places mountains
on earth, scatters animals, sends rain, grows noble plants, and challenges others
to show what they created.
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 15249-15254
quote_or_summary: Wisdom is bestowed upon Lokman, who is taught to be thankful to
God; gratitude benefits the grateful, while God is self-sufficient and praiseworthy.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: quote
locator: lines 15255-15257
quote_or_summary: 'Lokman says to his son: "O my son! join not other gods with God"
and calls such joining a great impiety.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 15258-15266
quote_or_summary: The passage commands care and gratitude concerning parents, mentions
the mother's weakness and weaning after two years, and says not to obey parents
if they press association with God, while still comporting oneself rightly toward
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 15267-15271
quote_or_summary: Lokman tells his son that God will bring everything to light,
even a mustard-seed weight hidden in a rock, the heavens, or the earth.
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 15272-15280
quote_or_summary: Lokman tells his son to pray, enjoin right, forbid wrong, be patient,
avoid distorting his face at people, avoid lofty walking, keep a middling pace,
and lower his voice.
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 15281-15289
quote_or_summary: God's favours are described; some dispute without knowledge, guidance,
or illuminating Book, and when told to follow what God sent down, they choose
the religion of their fathers; Satan is said to bid them to the torment of the
flame.
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 15290-15298
quote_or_summary: Whoever turns toward God in self-surrender and does good has grasped
a sure handle; unbelievers return to God and will be told of their deeds before
stern punishment.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: lines 15304-15307
quote_or_summary: If all trees on earth were pens and the sea were swelled into
seven seas of ink, God's words would not be exhausted.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: lines 15308-15310
quote_or_summary: Human creation and quickening hereafter are said to be like those
of a single individual; God hears and sees.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:13
type: summary
locator: lines 15311-15318
quote_or_summary: God causes night to enter day and day to enter night, and subjects
the sun and moon to appointed courses; God is the truth, high, and great.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:14
type: summary
locator: lines 15319-15327
quote_or_summary: Ships speed on the sea by God's favour; when waves cover people
like dark shadows they call upon God sincerely, but after safe landing some waver.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:15
type: summary
locator: lines 15328-15333
quote_or_summary: People are told to fear their Lord and dread a day when father
cannot atone for son nor son for father, and not to be deceived by present life
or the deceiver.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:16
type: summary
locator: lines 15334-15339
quote_or_summary: God has knowledge of the Hour, sends rain, knows what is in wombs,
and knows what each soul will gain and where it will die, while souls do not know
these things.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:17
type: summary
locator: lines 15342-15349
quote_or_summary: Translator's note says nothing certain is known of Lokman's history,
reports an opinion identifying him with Aesop, and notes respect for Lokman in
Arabia at Muhammad's time.
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: high
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Candidate motifs are limited
to motifs supported by explicit language; no comparison claims were added because
the passage itself does not establish a comparative relationship beyond the translator's
historical note, which was not used for motif comparison.
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: |-
The supplied passage includes translator footnotes after the Qur'anic passage. These were represented only in evidence where directly summarized and not used to infer unsupported motifs.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg__l15225-l15349
passage_sha256=98c71ffceaab12e38b1ee8127571766b0de8e646963d883132dfa48d78b4b767