batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l18329-l18469
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l18329-l18469
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 18329-18469
start: '18329'
end: '18469'
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: No soul shall labour but for itself; and no burdened one shall bear another's
burden.
summary: The passage warns of the coming of divine signs and judgment, rejects sectarian
division, states proportional recompense for good and evil deeds, affirms guidance
into Abraham's monotheistic creed, declares worship and life and death to belong
to God alone, asserts individual accountability and return to God, and describes
humanity as successors on earth tested by divine gifts. Translator notes add explanations
and comparisons, including divine judgment by angels, a possible ladder-ascent
allusion, and a comparative Abraham narrative involving fire and water.
language: English
quote_policy: quoted
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The text asks what the people await except the coming of angels, the Lord,
or signs of the Lord; when some signs come, faith will not profit a soul that
did not believe before or do good works through faith.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Those who split up their religion and become sects are said to have their
affair with God, who will later tell them what they have done.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: A person presenting good works receives a tenfold reward, while one presenting
evil works receives only a like punishment, without unjust treatment.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: The speaker says the Lord has guided him into a straight path, identified
with the true religion and the creed of Abraham, who did not associate other gods
with God.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: The speaker declares that prayers, worship, life, and death are for God, Lord
of the Worlds, who has no associate.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: The text states that no soul labours except for itself, no burdened one bears
another's burden, and all will return to the Lord, who will declare the matters
about which they differed.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: God is said to have made people successors of others on earth and to have
raised some above others in grades in order to test them by gifts.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: A translator note explains that, if the angels came, the opportunity for prophetic
warnings and repentance would end and the angels would execute divine judgments.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: A translator note says certain passages may allude to a ladder in a tower
by which Wacih ben Salamah professed to mount up to God and receive divine oracles.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:10
text: A translator note compares a narrative in which Abraham is given by his idolatrous
father to Nimrod and argues successively against worship of fire, water, clouds,
wind, and man before being thrown into a furnace.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: God / the Lord
description: The Lord whose signs may come, who judges deeds, guides, has no associate,
receives return, tests people by gifts, and is swift to punish yet gracious and
merciful.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Angels
description: Beings whose coming is mentioned; the translator note says they would
execute divine judgments.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:8
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Addressed people / souls
description: Those addressed as waiting, accountable for faith and works, unable
to bear another's burden, and returning to the Lord.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Those who split up their religion
description: People described as becoming sects, with their affair left to God.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Commanded speaker
description: The speaker of the repeated declarations, saying he is guided, commanded,
and first of the Muslims.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Abraham
description: Named as the exemplar of a sound creed and as one who was not among
those who join gods with God; translator note also describes a comparative Abraham
narrative.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:10
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Nimrod
description: Named in the translator note as the figure to whom Abraham is given
in a comparative narrative.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Wacih ben Salamah
description: Named in a translator note as an ancient doorkeeper of the Caaba who
professed to mount up to God by a ladder in a tower and receive divine oracles.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
roles:
- id: role:1
label: divine judge
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God recompenses good and evil works, declares disputed matters, and is swift
to punish.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:2
label: sole lord without associate
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The speaker declares God to be Lord of the Worlds and says He has no associate.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:3
label: tester and giver of earthly rank
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God makes people successors on earth, raises some in grades, and tests them
by gifts.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:4
label: agents of judgment
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: A note explains that the angels would execute divine judgments.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: accountable recipients
assigned_to:
- fig:3
- fig:4
basis: People and souls are evaluated by faith, works, sectarian division, and individual
burdens.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:6
- id: role:6
label: monotheistic declarant
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The speaker declares guidance, worship, life, death, and obedience to God
alone.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:7
label: monotheistic exemplar
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Abraham is associated with the sound creed and refusal to join gods with
God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:8
label: opposing ruler in comparative note
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The translator note places Nimrod in opposition to Abraham in the compared
narrative.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:9
label: claimed ascender to God
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The translator note says Wacih professed to mount up to God by a ladder and
receive divine oracles.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Lord's signs
literal_form: signs of the Lord coming to pass
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: straight path
literal_form: straight path
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:3
label: burden of accountability
literal_form: burden borne by a burdened one
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:4
label: fire in Abraham comparison
literal_form: fire and furnace
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:5
label: water in Abraham comparison
literal_form: water that puts out fire
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:6
label: ladder and tower ascent device
literal_form: ladder set up in a tower
associated_figures:
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Waiting for divine signs
summary: The passage frames the people as waiting for angels, the Lord, or signs;
when signs come, prior unbelief and lack of good works cannot be remedied.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:8
- id: scene:2
label: Sectarian division referred to God
summary: Those who divide religion into sects are separated from the speaker's concern,
and their affair is left to God for later disclosure.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Recompense of deeds
summary: Good works receive tenfold reward, evil works receive equivalent punishment,
and no injustice is done.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Monotheistic confession on Abraham's path
summary: The commanded speaker declares guidance into the straight path, Abraham's
creed, and dedication of prayer, worship, life, and death to God alone.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Individual burden and return to God
summary: Each soul labours for itself, no one bears another's burden, and all return
to the Lord, who resolves their disputes.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Earthly succession and testing by gifts
summary: God makes people successors on earth, differentiates them by grades, and
tests them through gifts while being both punishing and merciful.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:7
label: Translator note on ladder ascent
summary: A note reports a possible allusion to Wacih ben Salamah's ladder in a tower,
by which he claimed to mount up to God and receive oracles.
figure_refs:
- fig:8
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: scene:8
label: Translator note on Abraham and elemental worship
summary: A note compares an Abraham narrative in which Abraham rejects worship of
fire, water, clouds, wind, and man and is thrown into a furnace.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Divine judgment and recompense of deeds
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The passage describes divine signs, angels executing judgment in a note,
tenfold reward for good works, equivalent punishment for evil works, and God's
later declaration of disputed matters.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The passage is doctrinal and exhortative rather than narrative in form.
- id: motif:2
label: Return to the Lord for final accountability
taxonomy_refs:
- return
- divine_judgment
basis: The text says all return to the Lord, no soul bears another's burden, and
God will declare the matters of difference.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not present a detailed journey map or sequence beyond
return and declaration.
- id: motif:3
label: Straight path of monotheistic guidance
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The speaker says the Lord has guided him into a straight path, the true religion
and creed of Abraham, and rejects associating other gods with God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy reference to wisdom is broad; the passage's explicit language
is guidance and monotheistic confession.
- id: motif:4
label: Human stewardship or succession as a divine test
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The text says God made people successors on earth, raised some above others
in grades, and tests them by gifts.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: No supplied taxonomy family directly names this motif.
- id: motif:5
label: Ascent to God by ladder or tower for oracles
taxonomy_refs:
- ascent
basis: A translator note says a passage may allude to Wacih ben Salamah's ladder
in a tower, by which he professed to mount up to God and receive divine oracles.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: low
cautions: This is a tentative translator note and not part of the main Quranic excerpt
in this line range.
- id: motif:6
label: Abraham rejects elemental worship
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: A translator note compares a narrative where Abraham argues against worship
of fire, water, clouds, wind, and man before being thrown into a furnace.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The motif is present in the translator's comparative note, not directly
in the main Quranic verses shown here.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The translator explicitly compares an Abraham narrative in Midrash Rabbah
on Genesis with the note's account of Abraham confronting idolatry through a sequence
involving fire, water, clouds, wind, man, and the furnace.
claim_level: same_motif
target: Midr. Rabbah on Genesis, par. 17, Abraham-Nimrod elemental worship narrative
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The comparison is supplied by Rodwell's note; the main Quranic lines
in this excerpt only mention Abraham's creed and do not narrate the episode.
- id: claim:2
claim: The translator cautiously proposes that certain passages may allude to a
local Caaba-related ladder-ascent tradition involving Wacih ben Salamah mounting
toward God to receive oracles.
claim_level: same_motif
target: Wacih ben Salamah ladder/tower ascent to God tradition
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: low
limitations: The note itself is tentative ('may allude'), and the immediate Quranic
excerpt here does not narrate the ascent.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: quote
locator: 18329-18332
quote_or_summary: The passage asks whether they wait for angels, the Lord, or signs
of the Lord; when signs come, faith will not profit one who did not believe before
or do good works through faith.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; summarized with brief wording.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 18334-18335
quote_or_summary: Those who split up their religion and become sects are said to
have their affair with God, who will tell them what they have done.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 18337-18339
quote_or_summary: Good works receive tenfold reward; evil works receive only a like
punishment; people are not treated unjustly.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: quote
locator: 18341-18343
quote_or_summary: The speaker says the Lord guided him into a straight path, the
true religion and creed of Abraham, who did not join gods with God.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; summarized with short quoted
phrase.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 18344-18345
quote_or_summary: The speaker declares prayers, worship, life, and death are unto
God, Lord of the Worlds, who has no associate, and says he is commanded and first
of the Muslims.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: quote
locator: 18347-18350
quote_or_summary: The passage says no soul labours except for itself, no burdened
one bears another's burden, and all return to the Lord, who will declare what
they differed about.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; summarized with short quoted
phrase used in canonical text.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 18352-18355
quote_or_summary: God made people successors of others on earth, raised some above
others by grades to prove them by gifts, and is swift to punish yet gracious and
merciful.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: note 1 within 18357-18360
quote_or_summary: The translator note explains that, without opportunity for warning
and repentance, angels would execute divine judgments.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: note 8 within 18375-18378
quote_or_summary: The translator note says some passages may allude to Wacih ben
Salamah's ladder in a tower, by which he professed to mount up to God and receive
divine oracles.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: note 18 within 18400-18412
quote_or_summary: The translator note compares a Midrash Rabbah narrative where
Abraham is given to Nimrod, rejects worship of fire, water, clouds, wind, and
man, and is thrown into a furnace.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain Project Gutenberg text; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: medium
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: Main Quranic material is clear for judgment, accountability, return, and
monotheistic guidance. Claims based on translator notes are more tentative and
should be reviewed separately from claims about the Quranic passage itself.
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 text, source metadata, and available taxonomy references. No external taxonomy IDs were added.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg__l18329-l18469
passage_sha256=e54e4715ae070e744b7cd10377d74417a5e739ab6913106d081a9eb566fe6ef5