batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l1609-l1839
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l1609-l1839
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 1609-1839
start: '1609'
end: '1839'
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 contains Rodwell's notes on the Opening Sura and a sequence
of short Meccan suras. It describes devotional use of the Opening, rejection of
worship compromise with unbelievers, divine unity, condemnation of Abu Lahab and
his wife, divine abundance and sacrificial prayer, warnings against backbiting
and wealth, criticism of false religion that neglects orphans and the poor, warnings
about desire for riches and hell-fire, and contrasts between charitable God-fearing
conduct and covetous denial.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Rodwell's note says the Opening Sura is recited several times in each of the
five daily prayers and on other occasions, and that Muslims say Amen after it
according to instruction attributed to Gabriel.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Sura CIX states that the speaker does not worship what the unbelievers worship
and that they do not worship what the speaker worships.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: A note to Sura CIX describes the sura as a renunciation of Meccan idolatry
after a proposed arrangement involving simultaneous or alternating worship.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Sura CXII states that God is alone, eternal, does not beget, is not begotten,
and has none like Him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: Sura CXI declares that Abu Lahab and his gains will perish and that he will
burn in a fiery flame.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Sura CXI depicts Abu Lahab's wife as carrying firewood with a rope of palm
fibre on her neck.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: A note says Abu Lahab rejected Muhammad's prophetic claim, and that his wife
Omm Djemil is said to have strewn thorns in Muhammad's path.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: Sura CVIII says the addressed figure has been given abundance and is commanded
to pray to the Lord and slay victims.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Sura CIV condemns the backbiter who amasses wealth and says he will be flung
into the Crushing Fire.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: Sura CIV describes the Crushing Fire as God's kindled fire rising over the
damned like a vault on outstretched columns.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: Sura CVII identifies denial of religion with thrusting away the orphan, failing
to encourage feeding the poor, careless prayer, display of devotion, and refusal
of help to the needy.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:12
text: Sura CII says desire for increasing riches occupies people until they come
to the grave, after which they will know and will see hell-fire.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:13
text: Sura CII says people will be taken to task concerning pleasures.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:14
text: Sura XCII opens with oaths by night, day, and the maker of male and female.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:15
text: Sura XCII contrasts one who gives alms, fears God, and accepts the Good with
one who is covetous, bent on riches, and calls the Good a lie.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:16
text: Sura XCII says the first type is made easy toward happiness, while the second
is made easy toward misery and warned of flaming fire.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: God
description: Named as God, the Compassionate and Merciful; described as alone, eternal,
incomparable, not begetting and not begotten; also associated with judgment, guidance,
and kindled fire.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:9
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Muhammad
description: Named in notes as the recipient of tradition about the Opening and
as the prophet whose claim Abu Lahab rejected.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Angel Gabriel
description: Named in the note as instructing Muhammad, according to the Sonna,
to say Amen after the prayer.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Unbelievers
description: Addressed in Sura CIX as those whose worship is distinct from the speaker's
worship.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Abu Lahab
description: Named figure whose hands, self, wealth, and gains are declared unable
to avail him; he is destined for fiery flame.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Abu Lahab's wife / Omm Djemil
description: Described in the sura as laden with firewood and a palm-fibre rope
on her neck; the note names Omm Djemil and says she strewn Muhammad's path with
thorns.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Backbiter and defamer
description: A condemned person who amasses and stores wealth and is threatened
with the Crushing Fire.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: False practitioner of religion
description: A figure who treats religion as a lie, rejects the orphan, neglects
feeding the poor, prays carelessly, shows devotion outwardly, and refuses needy
help.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Person occupied by increasing riches
description: A plural or collective addressee occupied by desire for increasing
riches until the grave and later taken to task concerning pleasures.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Almsgiving God-fearer
description: A person who gives alms, fears God, and assents to the Good, and is
made easy toward happiness.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Covetous denier
description: A person who is covetous, bent on riches, calls the Good a lie, and
is made easy toward misery.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
roles:
- id: role:1
label: sole divine being
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Sura CXII says God is alone, eternal, without offspring or parentage, and
incomparable.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:2
label: divine judge and guide
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage attributes guidance to God and describes punishments or accountability
involving God's kindled fire and being taken to task.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:3
label: prophet and devotional recipient
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Notes identify Muhammad in relation to the prayer practice and to rejection
of his prophetic claim.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: role:4
label: angelic instructor
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The note says Gabriel instructed Muhammad to say Amen after the prayer.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:5
label: opposed worshipping group
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Sura CIX addresses unbelievers and distinguishes their worship from the speaker's
worship.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:6
label: condemned opponent
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Abu Lahab is cursed, his wealth is declared useless, and he is assigned to
fiery flame; the note says he rejected Muhammad's prophetic claim.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: condemned helper of opponent
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The wife is portrayed with firewood and a rope, and the note says she opposed
Muhammad by strewing thorns in his path.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:8
label: morally condemned wrongdoer
assigned_to:
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:11
basis: These figures are linked with backbiting, wealth accumulation, neglect of
the poor, false devotion, desire for riches, covetousness, denial, and punishment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:9
label: righteous giver
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: This figure gives alms, fears God, assents to the Good, and is guided toward
happiness.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: fire of punishment
literal_form: fiery flame; Crushing Fire; hell-fire; flaming fire
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:7
- fig:9
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: sym:2
label: wealth and riches
literal_form: wealth, gains, stored wealth, increasing riches, pleasures
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:7
- fig:9
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: sym:3
label: firewood and neck rope
literal_form: firewood and a rope of palm fibre on the neck
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: grave
literal_form: the grave reached after desire for riches
associated_figures:
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:5
label: night and day
literal_form: night spreading her veil and day brightly shining
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:6
label: male and female
literal_form: male and female made by God
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:7
label: path to happiness and path to misery
literal_form: contrasted paths made easy toward happiness or misery
associated_figures:
- fig:10
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:8
label: slain victims
literal_form: victims slain in response to divine abundance
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Devotional framing of the Opening
summary: A note explains the early status, devotional recitation, names, petition
count, and Amen practice associated with the Opening Sura.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Refusal of worship compromise
summary: The speaker addresses unbelievers and denies mutual participation in each
other's worship; a note frames the sura as renouncing Meccan idolatry after a
proposed compromise.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Declaration of divine unity
summary: The sura defines God as one, eternal, without begetting or being begotten,
and without likeness.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Condemnation of Abu Lahab and wife
summary: Abu Lahab is cursed and assigned to fiery flame, while his wife is depicted
carrying firewood with a rope on her neck; the note links them to opposition to
Muhammad.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Abundance, prayer, and victims
summary: The addressed recipient is told that abundance has been given and is instructed
to pray to the Lord and slay victims.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:6
label: Backbiter cast into Crushing Fire
summary: A backbiter and defamer who stores wealth is threatened with a divine fire
rising over the damned like a vault.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:7
label: False religion and social neglect
summary: The passage identifies denial of religion with rejecting the orphan, failing
to feed the poor, careless prayer, outward show, and refusal of needy help.
figure_refs:
- fig:8
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:8
label: Riches, grave, hell-fire, and accountability
summary: Those occupied by increasing riches reach the grave, will see hell-fire
with certainty, and will be questioned concerning pleasures.
figure_refs:
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:9
label: Contrasted moral paths
summary: The sura swears by night, day, and the maker of male and female, then contrasts
the almsgiving God-fearer with the covetous denier, assigning them paths toward
happiness or misery and warning of flaming fire.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:10
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:5
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: divine judgment by fire
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Multiple suras threaten condemned figures with fiery flame, Crushing Fire,
hell-fire, or flaming fire, and one passage states people will be taken to task
concerning pleasures.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The passage emphasizes punishment and accountability; it does not provide
a detailed afterlife itinerary.
- id: motif:2
label: wealth fails before judgment
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Abu Lahab's wealth and gains do not avail him; the backbiter stores wealth
but is cast into fire; desire for riches ends at the grave; the covetous person's
wealth is questioned when he goes down.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: This is a moral-religious pattern within the passage, not a separate named
taxonomy motif.
- id: motif:3
label: sacrifice after divine gift
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
basis: Sura CVIII says abundance has been given and commands prayer to the Lord
and slaying of victims.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage is brief and does not describe the ritual details or context
of the victims.
- id: motif:4
label: religious boundary against idolatrous compromise
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Sura CIX refuses mutual worship with unbelievers, and the note describes
the sura as a distinct renunciation of Meccan idolatry after a compromise proposal.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: No available taxonomy reference directly names this motif.
- id: motif:5
label: divine unity and non-generation
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Sura CXII states that God is alone, eternal, does not beget, is not begotten,
and has no likeness.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: No available taxonomy reference directly corresponds to divine unity.
- id: motif:6
label: contrasted moral paths
taxonomy_refs:
- duality
basis: 'Sura XCII contrasts night and day, male and female, and two human orientations:
almsgiving God-fearer versus covetous denier, leading to happiness or misery.'
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy reference 'duality' is broad; the passage's contrast is specifically
ethical and eschatological.
- id: motif:7
label: true religion measured by care for vulnerable people
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Sura CVII links denial of religion to rejecting the orphan, not urging feeding
the poor, careless prayer, display of devotion, and refusing help to the needy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: No available taxonomy reference directly names this social-ethical motif.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: Rodwell's note compares the Opening Sura with the Lord's Prayer by stating
that, including the auspicatory formula, it contains the same number of petitions;
the note also presents it as a frequently recited devotional prayer.
claim_level: same_function
target: Lord's Prayer
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The passage supports only a limited comparison in petition count and
devotional use; it does not provide a detailed textual or historical comparison.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 1609-1839, note on the Opening Sura
quote_or_summary: Rodwell notes that the Opening Sura has many names, has the same
number of petitions as the Lord's Prayer if the auspicatory formula is included,
is recited in daily prayers and other occasions, and is followed by Amen according
to instruction attributed to Gabriel.
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 1609-1839, Sura CIX and note
quote_or_summary: Sura CIX addresses unbelievers and says the speaker does not worship
what they worship and they do not worship what he worships, ending with distinct
religions; the note says it rejects a proposed compromise with old Meccan deities
and renounces Meccan idolatry.
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 1609-1839, Sura CXII
quote_or_summary: Sura CXII declares God alone and eternal, not begetting and not
begotten, with none like Him.
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 1609-1839, Sura CXI and notes
quote_or_summary: Sura CXI curses Abu Lahab, says his wealth will not avail him,
assigns him to fiery flame, and depicts his wife with firewood and a palm-fibre
rope; the note identifies opposition to Muhammad's prophetic claim and mentions
Omm Djemil strewing thorns.
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 1609-1839, Sura CVIII and note
quote_or_summary: Sura CVIII says abundance has been given, commands prayer to the
Lord and slaying victims, and says the hater will be childless; the note links
this to taunts over the death of Muhammad's sons.
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 1609-1839, Sura CIV
quote_or_summary: Sura CIV condemns the backbiter and defamer who stores wealth,
says he will be flung into the Crushing Fire, and describes it as God's kindled
fire rising over the hearts of the damned like a vault on columns.
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 1609-1839, Sura CVII
quote_or_summary: Sura CVII asks about one who treats religion as a lie and describes
him as pushing away the orphan, not urging feeding the poor, praying carelessly,
making a show of devotion, and refusing help to the needy.
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 1609-1839, Sura CII
quote_or_summary: Sura CII says desire for increasing riches occupies people until
the grave, that they will know and see hell-fire with certainty, and that they
will be taken to task concerning pleasures.
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 1609-1839, Sura XCII, opening portion
quote_or_summary: Sura XCII swears by night, day, and the maker of male and female,
contrasts the almsgiving God-fearer with the covetous denier, and links them respectively
to paths toward happiness and misery, with warning of flaming fire.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: medium
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: Extraction is based only on the provided passage. The passage combines translator
notes and translated sura text; motif labels are candidate classifications requiring
human review.
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: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
No external sources or taxonomy IDs beyond the provided available taxonomy references were used.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg__l1609-l1839
passage_sha256=741a48fe9571d09fb696e21e035ed722337a63b14f634428ea75d2f1111573a5