batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l18471-l18596
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l18471-l18596
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 18471-18596
start: '18471'
end: '18596'
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 first reports a pre-Islamic Arab custom of assigning field
portions to God and to idols, with the idols' portion benefiting priests. Sura
XIII then presents God as creator and ruler of heavens, earth, sun, moon, mountains,
rivers, vegetation, fertility, hidden and manifest things, storms, and judgment.
It contrasts believers and unbelievers, rejects powerless deities, describes universal
worship, uses water and molten metal imagery to compare truth and falsehood, and
promises Gardens of Eden to those who keep God's compact and do righteous deeds.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A note says idolatrous Arabs set apart one portion of their fields for the
Supreme God and another for inferior gods represented by idols.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The note says produce falling from the idols' portion into God's portion was
restored, while produce falling from God's portion into the idols' portion was
given to the idols.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The passage says God reared the heavens without visible pillars, mounted his
throne, and imposed laws on the sun and moon.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The passage says God outstretched the earth, placed firm mountains and rivers
on it, made fruits in two kinds, and causes night to enshroud day.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The passage notes varied plots of earth, grape gardens, corn, and palm trees
watered by the same water, with some foods made more excellent than others.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Unbelievers question whether they will be restored in a new creation after
becoming dust.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: Those who do not believe are described as having collars on their necks and
as inmates of the fire.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: The addressed messenger is called a warner, and every people is said to have
its guide.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: God is said to know every female's burden, the changes of wombs, and all things
by measure.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:10
text: Each person is said to have successive angels before and behind who watch
by God's command.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:11
text: The passage says God makes lightning shine for fear and hope, brings laden
clouds, and sends bolts that strike whom he wills.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:12
text: Thunder and the angels are said to utter praise because of awe of God.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:13
text: Deities prayed to beside God are said to give no answer, compared to water
that cannot reach the mouth of one stretching hands toward it.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:14
text: All in the heavens and on earth, including shadows, are said to bow down to
God willingly or by constraint.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:15
text: The passage contrasts blind and seeing, darkness and light, and declares God
creator of all things, one and conquering.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:16
text: Rain from heaven produces measured torrents that carry foam; molten metals
also produce a scum.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: obs:17
text: The passage explicitly uses foam and useful residue to depict truth and falsehood.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: obs:18
text: Those who respond to God receive an excellent reward, while those who do not
face evil reckoning and Hell.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: obs:19
text: Men of insight are described as fulfilling God's pledge, not breaking the
compact, joining what God commands to be joined, fearing reckoning, praying, giving
alms, and turning aside evil by good.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: obs:20
text: Gardens of Eden are described as the abode entered by the righteous along
with just fathers, wives, and descendants, with angels entering at every portal.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: God
description: Creator and ruler who orders the heavens, earth, sun, moon, fertility,
storms, judgment, reward, and punishment.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:7
- ev:9
- ev:12
- ev:14
- ev:16
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Idolatrous Arabs
description: People described in a note as setting apart field portions for the
Supreme God and for inferior gods represented by idols.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Inferior gods, idols, or deities prayed to beside God
description: Deities represented by idols; elsewhere in the passage, deities prayed
to beside God are said to give no answer and have no power for help or harm.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:10
- ev:12
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Priests
description: The note says the idols' portion was reserved for priests.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Unbelievers or infidels
description: Persons who do not believe, question restoration after death, seek
signs, pray to deities beside God, and face punishment.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:10
- ev:14
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Addressed warner
description: The addressed figure is told, 'Thou art a warner only.'
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Angels
description: Angels watch over persons by God's behest, praise God in awe, and enter
the Gardens of Eden through portals.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:16
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Thunder
description: Thunder is personified as uttering praise.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Men of insight and those who respond to God
description: People who recognize the truth sent down, fulfill God's pledge, observe
prayer, give alms, and receive the recompense of the abode.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- ev:15
- ev:16
roles:
- id: role:1
label: Supreme creator and judge
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God is named as creator of all things, ruler of cosmic order, giver of reward,
and punisher through reckoning, Hell, and storm bolts.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:9
- ev:12
- ev:14
- id: role:2
label: Ritual allocators to God and idols
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The note describes them as assigning field portions to the Supreme God and
idols and redistributing fallen produce.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: Powerless rival objects of prayer
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The passage says deities prayed to beside God give no answer and have no
power for help or harm.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:12
- id: role:4
label: Beneficiaries of idol portions
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The note states that the idols' portion was reserved for priests.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:5
label: Deniers and objects of judgment
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Unbelievers question new creation after becoming dust and are associated
with collars, fire, failed prayer, evil reckoning, and Hell.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:10
- ev:14
- id: role:6
label: Warner
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The addressed figure is explicitly described as a warner only.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:7
label: Divine attendants, guardians, and visitors
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Angels guard persons, praise God, and enter the Gardens of Eden at portals.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:16
- id: role:8
label: Personified praising storm-voice
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Thunder is said to utter praise.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:9
label: Righteous covenant keepers
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: They fulfill God's pledge, keep the compact, perform prayer and almsgiving,
and receive an afterlife abode.
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- ev:16
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Field portions consecrated to God and idols
literal_form: Portions of fields and fallen fruit
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: Heavens without visible pillars
literal_form: Heavens reared without visible pillars
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: Sun and moon under law
literal_form: Sun and moon travelling to an appointed goal
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:4
label: Mountains
literal_form: Firm mountains placed on the earth
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:5
label: Rivers, rain, torrents, and water
literal_form: Rivers on earth; same water nourishing varied crops; rain from heaven
and measured torrents; water unreachable by the supplicant's mouth
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:10
- ev:13
- id: sym:6
label: Paired fruits and night covering day
literal_form: Two kinds of every fruit and night enshrouding day
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:7
label: Collars and fire
literal_form: Collars on necks and abiding in the fire
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:8
label: Lightning, thunder, clouds, and bolts
literal_form: Lightning, laden clouds, thunder, and bolts striking whom God wills
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:9
label: Bowing shadows
literal_form: Shadows bowing morning and evening
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: sym:10
label: Blind and seeing; darkness and light
literal_form: Contrasted blindness and sight, darkness and light
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: sym:11
label: Foam and scum contrasted with useful residue
literal_form: Foam carried by flood and scum from molten metals, contrasted with
what remains useful on earth
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- water
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: sym:12
label: Hell
literal_form: Hell as home and wretched bed
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: sym:13
label: Gardens of Eden and portals
literal_form: Gardens of Eden entered with kin; angels enter at every portal
associated_figures:
- fig:7
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Allocation of fields to God and idols
summary: A note describes idolatrous Arabs assigning field portions to the Supreme
God and to idols, with fallen produce redirected in a way that favors the idols'
portion, said to benefit priests.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Cosmic ordering and earthly signs
summary: God is described as raising the heavens, ruling from the throne, regulating
sun and moon, stretching out the earth, placing mountains and rivers, creating
paired fruits, and making varied crops from the same water.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Denial of new creation and punishment
summary: Unbelievers ask whether they will be restored after becoming dust, and
the passage associates them with collars, fire, and enduring punishment.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Warning, divine knowledge, and angelic guardianship
summary: The addressed figure is named as a warner; God knows hidden and manifest
things, wombs, and all things by measure; each person has angels before and behind
watching by God's command.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:5
label: Storm praise and divine bolts
summary: God makes lightning, brings laden clouds, thunder and angels praise him,
and bolts strike whom he wills while people wrangle about God.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: scene:6
label: Powerless deities and universal worship
summary: Prayer to deities beside God is compared to stretching hands toward water
that cannot reach the mouth; all in heaven and earth, including shadows, bow to
God; contrasts of blind/seeing and darkness/light are invoked before declaring
God sole creator.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:9
- sym:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: scene:7
label: Parable of foam, metal scum, truth, and falsehood
summary: Rain creates torrents bearing foam, and molten metals produce scum; the
passage says this depicts truth and falsehood, with foam passing away and useful
things remaining.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: scene:8
label: Reward, covenant conduct, and Gardens of Eden
summary: Those who respond to God and keep the pledge and compact, pray, give alms,
and turn aside evil by good receive the afterlife abode, entering Gardens of Eden
with righteous kin while angels come through portals.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- ev:15
- ev:16
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Ritual offering divided between supreme deity and idols
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: The note describes field portions set apart for the Supreme God and for idols,
with fruit transfers treated differently depending on which portion gains.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: This is a translator's explanatory note rather than the main sura text;
the passage frames the practice polemically.
- id: motif:2
label: Cosmic order as divine signs for reflection
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The passage repeatedly presents heavens, sun, moon, earth, mountains, rivers,
fruits, night and day, and varied crops as signs for firm faith, reflection, and
understanding.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The motif is expressed as theological instruction rather than narrative
action.
- id: motif:3
label: Resurrection denied and divine judgment affirmed
taxonomy_refs:
- resurrection
- divine_judgment
basis: Unbelievers question restoration in a new creation after becoming dust, while
the passage describes collars, fire, evil reckoning, Hell, and reward for responders.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:14
confidence: high
cautions: The excerpt states the doctrine and consequences but does not narrate
an enacted resurrection scene.
- id: motif:4
label: Angelic guardianship around human beings
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Each person is said to have a succession of angels before and behind who
watch by God's command.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: No listed taxonomy reference directly matches this motif.
- id: motif:5
label: Storm as divine manifestation and instrument
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Lightning, laden clouds, thunder's praise, angelic awe, and bolts striking
whom God wills are joined in a single storm-theophanic passage.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: No available taxonomy reference specifically names storm theophany; interpretation
is limited to the passage's literal elements.
- id: motif:6
label: Powerlessness of false deities
taxonomy_refs:
- duality
basis: The passage contrasts prayer rightly belonging to God with deities who give
no answer, and contrasts blind/seeing and darkness/light before naming God as
sole creator.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:12
confidence: medium
cautions: The duality reference is broad; the passage's main emphasis is monotheistic
polemic rather than a balanced cosmic dualism.
- id: motif:7
label: Truth and falsehood separated like lasting substance from passing foam
taxonomy_refs:
- duality
basis: 'The passage explicitly says foam from torrents and scum from molten metals
depict truth and falsehood: foam disappears while what benefits people remains.'
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
confidence: high
cautions: This is an explicit comparison in the passage, not an independent narrative
episode.
- id: motif:8
label: Covenant-keeping righteousness rewarded with Edenic afterlife
taxonomy_refs:
- covenant
- divine_judgment
basis: The righteous fulfill God's pledge, keep the compact, perform prayer and
almsgiving, and are promised Gardens of Eden with kin and angels at portals.
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- ev:16
confidence: high
cautions: The passage describes reward and entry but not a detailed afterlife journey.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 18471-18481
quote_or_summary: A note describes idolatrous Arabs dividing fields between the
Supreme God and idols, redirecting fallen fruit in favor of idols, and says the
idols' portion was reserved for priests.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: Sura XIII opening, lines 18495-18500
quote_or_summary: God rears the heavens without visible pillars, mounts his throne,
imposes laws on sun and moon, and makes signs clear so people may have faith in
meeting their Lord.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: Sura XIII, lines 18501-18505
quote_or_summary: God stretches out earth, places firm mountains and rivers, creates
two kinds of every fruit, and causes night to cover day; these are signs for reflection.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: Sura XIII, lines 18506-18510
quote_or_summary: Neighboring portions of earth contain grape gardens, corn, and
palm trees watered by the same water, yet made different in excellence as food.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: Sura XIII, lines 18511-18516
quote_or_summary: Unbelievers marvelously ask whether, after becoming dust, they
will be restored in a new creation; they are described with collars and as inmates
of the fire.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: Sura XIII, lines 18520-18523
quote_or_summary: Unbelievers ask why a sign has not been sent down; the addressed
figure is told he is only a warner, and every people has its guide.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: Sura XIII, lines 18524-18529
quote_or_summary: God knows every female's burden, wombs' lessening and enlarging,
all things by measure, and hidden and manifest things.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: Sura XIII, lines 18530-18536
quote_or_summary: God knows concealed and public speech, night hiding and day emergence;
each person has successive angels before and behind watching by God's command.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: Sura XIII, lines 18538-18544
quote_or_summary: God makes lightning shine for fear and hope, brings laden clouds,
thunder praises him, angels praise from awe, and bolts strike whom he wills.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: Sura XIII, lines 18545-18550
quote_or_summary: Prayer belongs rightly to God; deities prayed to beside him give
no answer, like water that cannot reach the mouth of one stretching hands toward
it.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: Sura XIII, lines 18551-18553
quote_or_summary: All in the heavens and on earth bow down to God willingly or by
constraint, and their shadows also bow morning and evening.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: Sura XIII, lines 18554-18561
quote_or_summary: The passage asks who is Lord of heavens and earth, rejects protectors
without power, contrasts blind with seeing and darkness with light, and declares
God creator of all things, one and conquering.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:13
type: summary
locator: Sura XIII, lines 18563-18570
quote_or_summary: Rain from heaven creates measured torrents bearing foam; molten
metals produce similar scum; God uses this to depict truth and falsehood, with
foam passing and useful things remaining.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:14
type: summary
locator: Sura XIII, lines 18570-18575
quote_or_summary: Those who respond to the Lord receive an excellent reward, while
those who do not face an evil reckoning and Hell as their home and bed.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:15
type: summary
locator: Sura XIII, lines 18576-18591
quote_or_summary: Men of insight know what was sent down is truth, fulfill God's
pledge, do not break the compact, join what God commands, fear reckoning, remain
constant, pray, give alms, and turn aside evil by good.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:16
type: summary
locator: Sura XIII, lines 18592-18596
quote_or_summary: The recompense is Gardens of Eden, entered together with just
fathers, wives, and descendants, while angels enter to them at every portal.
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: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is strong for the supplied English passage. Motif taxonomy
mapping is partly broad because several evident themes, such as storm theophany
and angelic guardianship, lack exact available taxonomy references. No comparison
claims were added because the passage itself does not support a specific external
historical or cross-traditional 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: |-
All observations and motif candidates are based only on the supplied passage and metadata. The opening note and the sura text are kept together because both fall within the requested line range.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg__l18471-l18596
passage_sha256=b62f49198481509302aa34344640818d7a853de40bc673b86cea8dd3dc73e845