batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l17719-l17848
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l17719-l17848
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 17719-17848
start: '17719'
end: '17848'
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 commands the speaker to proclaim God's sovereignty, mercy,
oneness, and power; warns unbelievers and those who associate partners with God;
describes resurrection, gathering, judgment, fire, regret, burdens, and return
to God; notes rejection of signs and apostles; and states that God can send signs,
guide or mislead, punish, deliver, and gather all creatures.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The speaker is instructed repeatedly to say that all in the heavens and earth
belongs to God and that God is the sole Lord and maker.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: God is described as imposing mercy on Himself as a law and as assembling people
on the Resurrection day.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: The speaker is instructed to deny bearing witness to other gods with God and
to declare guiltlessness of what others join with Him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: A future gathering is described in which those who joined gods with God are
questioned about their companion-gods.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: The companion-gods are described as gods of the people's own inventing that
desert them.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Some hear the speaker, but veils are said to be cast over their hearts and
weight into their ears so that they do not understand or believe the signs.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: A scene is described in which unbelievers are set over the fire and wish to
be sent back so that they might believe.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:8
text: A scene is described in which people are set before their Lord, acknowledge
the truth, and are told to taste torment because they did not believe.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:9
text: Those who deny the meeting with God are described as regretting negligence
when the Hour comes suddenly and as bearing burdens on their backs.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:10
text: The present life is described as play and pastime, while the future mansion
is said to be better for those of godly fear.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:11
text: Earlier apostles are said to have been charged with falsehood and to have
endured until God's help came.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:12
text: The passage mentions a hypothetical opening into the earth or ladder into
Heaven by which the speaker might bring a sign.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:13
text: The dead are said to be raised by God and then returned to Him.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:14
text: Beasts on earth and birds flying with wings are described as a folk like the
audience, and all are to be gathered to their Lord.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: obs:15
text: Those who gainsay signs are described as deaf, dumb, and in darkness; God
places whom He pleases on the straight path.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: obs:16
text: Earlier nations are described as receiving apostles, being seized with troubles
and straits, failing to humble themselves, and later being suddenly seized while
rejoicing in gifts.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: God
description: Sovereign owner of the heavens and earth, maker, Lord, witness, merciful
assembler on Resurrection day, judge, raiser of the dead, sender of signs and
apostles, guide, punisher, and deliverer.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:7
- ev:12
- ev:14
- ev:15
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Speaker addressed by the command 'SAY'
description: A commanded messenger-figure who is told to proclaim God's sovereignty
and unity, warn by the Koran, and respond to demands for signs.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:11
- ev:16
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Those who will not believe / infidels / those who join gods with
God
description: People described as denying signs, treating apostles as liars, joining
companion-gods with God, disputing with the speaker, and facing judgment and torment.
role_refs:
- role:7
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:14
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Companion-gods
description: Supposed gods joined with God by the unbelievers; described as invented
by them and as deserting them.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Those given the Book
description: People said to recognize Muhammad as they do their own children.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:17
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Apostles before the speaker
description: Earlier apostles who were charged with falsehood, bore wrong with constancy,
and received God's help.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Beasts and fowl
description: Earthly beasts and winged fowl described as communities like the audience
and as destined to be gathered to their Lord.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Satan
description: Figure said to have pre-arranged the conduct of earlier nations after
their hearts were hardened.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Earlier nations
description: Nations before the speaker to whom apostles were sent and who were
seized with troubles, straits, and sudden punishment.
role_refs:
- role:14
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
roles:
- id: role:1
label: supreme deity and creator
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God is named as owner and maker of the heavens and earth and supreme over
servants.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: merciful assembler
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God imposes mercy on Himself and will assemble people on Resurrection day.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: judge and punisher
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God questions the gathered, confronts them with truth, and commands them
to taste torment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- id: role:4
label: raiser of the dead and gatherer
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God raises the dead and gathers creatures to their Lord.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- ev:13
- id: role:5
label: proclaimer
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The repeated command 'SAY' directs the speaker to proclaim doctrinal statements.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: role:6
label: warner by revelation
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The Koran is said to have been revealed to the speaker so that he may warn
those it reaches.
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- id: role:7
label: rejecters of signs
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: They refuse faith in signs and call the message fables of the ancients.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:8
label: recipients of judgment
assigned_to:
- fig:3
- fig:9
basis: The passage describes unbelievers and earlier nations being seized, judged,
or tormented after rejection.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:15
- id: role:9
label: false divine partners
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: They are called companion-gods joined with God and gods of human inventing.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:10
label: recognizers of Muhammad
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Those given the Book are said to recognize Muhammad as they do their own
children.
evidence_refs:
- ev:17
- id: role:11
label: rejected earlier messengers
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Earlier apostles were charged with falsehood and endured until help came.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:12
label: nonhuman communities subject to gathering
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Beasts and birds are described as a folk like humans and are to be gathered
to their Lord.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: role:13
label: deceiver or arranger of hardened conduct
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Satan is said to have pre-arranged the course of conduct of those whose hearts
were hardened.
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: role:14
label: warned nations
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Apostles were sent to nations before the speaker and troubles were laid on
them so they might humble themselves.
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Resurrection day
literal_form: named day of assembly after death
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- resurrection
- divine_judgment
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: the Day / the Hour
literal_form: eschatological time of gathering, questioning, sudden arrival, and
regret
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:8
- id: sym:3
label: fire
literal_form: fire before or over which unbelievers are set
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:4
label: veils over hearts
literal_form: veils cast over hearts so that the Koran is not understood
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: weight in ears
literal_form: a weight placed into ears, paired with failure to understand and believe
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: burdens on backs
literal_form: burdens borne on the backs of those regretting the Hour
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:7
label: opening into the earth
literal_form: hypothetical opening into the earth sought to bring a sign
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: sym:8
label: ladder into Heaven
literal_form: hypothetical ladder into Heaven sought to bring a sign
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- ascent
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: sym:9
label: straight path
literal_form: path upon which God places whom He pleases
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: sym:10
label: future mansion
literal_form: future dwelling contrasted with worldly play and pastime
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:11
label: the Koran / the Book
literal_form: revealed text used to warn; comprehensive book in which nothing is
omitted
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:16
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Proclamation of divine sovereignty and unity
summary: The speaker is commanded to declare that the heavens and earth belong to
God, that God is the maker and nourisher, and that no other lord or god should
be joined with Him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:16
- id: scene:2
label: Eschatological gathering and questioning
summary: On the Day, all are gathered and those who joined gods with God are questioned
about their supposed companion-gods, who are said to desert them.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Blocked hearing and rejection of signs
summary: Some hear the speaker but do not understand because veils and weight are
placed on them; they dispute and call the message fables of the ancients.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Regret before fire and Lord
summary: Unbelievers are shown set over fire and wish to return and believe; they
are also set before their Lord, acknowledge the truth, and are told to taste torment.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:5
label: The Hour and burdens
summary: Those who denied meeting God are overtaken suddenly by the Hour, regret
negligence, and carry burdens on their backs.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:6
label: Rejected apostles and possible sign-seeking
summary: The passage consoles the speaker by recalling earlier apostles who were
rejected and helped, and mentions a hypothetical opening into earth or ladder
into Heaven to bring a sign.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: scene:7
label: Gathering of creatures
summary: Beasts and birds are described as communities like humans, with nothing
omitted from the Book, and all are to be gathered to their Lord.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: scene:8
label: Punishment of earlier nations
summary: Earlier nations receive apostles and afflictions intended to humble them;
their hearts harden, Satan arranges their conduct, gates of things are opened,
and they are suddenly seized and plunged into despair.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Divine judgment after rejection of signs
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The passage repeatedly describes rejecters of signs being gathered, questioned,
confronted with truth, and punished.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives theological warning rather than a single narrative episode.
- id: motif:2
label: Resurrection and return to God
taxonomy_refs:
- resurrection
- return
basis: God will assemble people on Resurrection day, raise the dead, gather creatures,
and return them to Him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:12
- ev:13
confidence: high
cautions: The return is eschatological rather than a hero's return.
- id: motif:3
label: False divine partners desert worshippers
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Those who joined gods with God are questioned, deny their association, and
their invented gods desert them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The companion-gods are described polemically as invented; no independent
mythology of those figures is provided.
- id: motif:4
label: Rejected messenger and earlier rejected apostles
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage states that the speaker is charged with falsehood and that apostles
before him were also charged with falsehood but endured until divine help came.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: No specific earlier apostle is named in this passage.
- id: motif:5
label: Ascent route sought as proof-sign
taxonomy_refs:
- ascent
basis: A ladder into Heaven is mentioned as a hypothetical means by which the speaker
might bring a sign.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
confidence: medium
cautions: The ladder is hypothetical and conditional, not an enacted ascent.
- id: motif:6
label: Warning through revealed book
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The Koran is revealed to the speaker to warn those it reaches, and the Book
is said to omit nothing.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:16
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy reference to wisdom is broad; the passage emphasizes revelation
and warning more than wisdom quest.
- id: motif:7
label: Sudden reversal after prosperity
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Earlier nations forget warnings, rejoice in gifts after gates of all things
are opened, and are then suddenly seized and plunged into despair.
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
confidence: high
cautions: The passage summarizes a pattern across nations rather than narrating
one named event.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The speaker's rejection is explicitly compared with the rejection of earlier
apostles, who were also charged with falsehood and later received God's help.
claim_level: same_function
target: earlier apostles within the passage's sacred-history pattern
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The passage does not name the earlier apostles or give details of their
individual stories.
- id: claim:2
claim: 'The fate of the present rejecters is placed in a repeated pattern also applied
to earlier nations: messengers are sent, warnings are ignored, and divine punishment
follows.'
claim_level: same_motif
target: warned nations punished after rejecting apostles
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The comparison is internal to the passage and does not establish historical
contact or a specific external parallel.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 17719-17848
quote_or_summary: The speaker is commanded to ask whose is all in the heavens and
earth, answer that it is God's, and ask whether any lord other than God, maker
of heavens and earth, should be taken.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: quote
locator: lines 17719-17848
quote_or_summary: '"He had imposed mercy on Himself as a law. He will surely assemble
you on the Resurrection day"'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quote.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 17719-17848
quote_or_summary: The speaker is told to say God is witness between him and the
audience, that the Koran was revealed for warning, and that he bears no witness
to other gods with God.
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 17719-17848
quote_or_summary: On the Day all are gathered; those who joined gods with God are
asked where their companion-gods are; they deny joining companions, and the gods
of their inventing desert them.
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 17719-17848
quote_or_summary: Some hearken to the speaker, but veils are cast over their hearts
and weight into their ears; even seeing signs, they refuse faith and call the
message fables of the ancients.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: quote
locator: lines 17719-17848
quote_or_summary: '"when they shall be set over the fire" they say they wish to
be sent back and be believers.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quote with summary.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 17719-17848
quote_or_summary: When set before their Lord, they affirm the truth and are told
to taste torment because they did not believe.
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 17719-17848
quote_or_summary: Those who deny the meeting with God regret their negligence when
the Hour comes suddenly and bear burdens on their backs.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: quote
locator: lines 17719-17848
quote_or_summary: '"The life in this world is but a play and pastime" and the future
mansion is better for the god-fearing.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quote with summary.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 17719-17848
quote_or_summary: Before the speaker, apostles were charged with falsehood and bore
wrong with constancy until God's help came.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:11
type: quote
locator: lines 17719-17848
quote_or_summary: '"an opening into the earth or a ladder into Heaven" is mentioned
as a hypothetical way to bring a sign.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quote with summary.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: lines 17719-17848
quote_or_summary: Those who lend an ear receive answer; as for the dead, God will
raise them up and they will return to Him.
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 17719-17848
quote_or_summary: No beast on earth or bird with wings is other than a folk like
the audience; nothing is omitted from the Book; all will be gathered to their
Lord.
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 17719-17848
quote_or_summary: Those who gainsay signs are deaf, dumb, and in darkness; God misleads
whom He pleases and places whom He pleases on the straight path.
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 17719-17848
quote_or_summary: Apostles were sent to prior nations; troubles and straits were
laid on them, their hearts hardened, Satan arranged their conduct, gates of things
were opened, and they were suddenly seized while rejoicing.
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 17719-17848
quote_or_summary: The Koran is said to have been revealed to the speaker so that
he should warn the audience and all whom it reaches.
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 17719-17848
quote_or_summary: Those to whom the Book was given are said to recognize Muhammad
as they recognize their own children.
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 is doctrinal and admonitory with several eschatological motifs.
Motif assignments are based only on supplied taxonomy terms and passage language;
hypothetical imagery such as the ladder into Heaven is marked with caution.
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: |-
No external sources or verse numbering were used; all locators refer to the supplied stable line range.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg__l17719-l17848
passage_sha256=8dc6490511d58b29585939678c1fd9f45f800c11268822d7b8bbe8484c33466d