batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l20703-l20832
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l20703-l20832
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 20703-20832
start: '20703'
end: '20832'
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 gives battle instructions to believers, describes divine aid
and judgment, recounts Satan abandoning hostile forces, depicts angels striking
unbelievers at death, compares unbelievers with Pharaoh's people who were destroyed
and drowned, regulates treaties, peace, preparation for war, captives, spoils,
and relations among believers who migrated, fought, gave asylum, or share blood
ties.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: God is said to have made the opposing group appear few to the believers and
to have diminished the believers in the opponents' eyes so that a destined matter
would be carried out.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Believers are instructed to stand firm when confronting a troop, mention God's
name frequently, obey God and the Apostle, avoid dispute, and endure steadfastly.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: The passage contrasts believers with Meccans who came out insolently, for
display before people, and who turn others from God's way.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: Satan encourages the hostile group by promising that no man will conquer them
and that he will help them, but when the armies come in sight he withdraws and
disavows them.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Hypocrites and people described as diseased of heart say that the Muslims'
religion has misled them.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: Angels are described causing infidels to die, striking their faces and backs,
and telling them to taste the torture of burning.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: The state of the unbelievers is compared to the people of Pharaoh and earlier
groups who denied God's signs and were seized or destroyed in their sins.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: obs:8
text: The people of Pharaoh are specifically said to have been drowned because they
were wrongdoers.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: Certain groups are described as breaking their league and not fearing God,
and the passage gives instructions concerning war, treachery, and treaties.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:10
text: Believers are instructed to prepare available force and strong squadrons to
strike terror into enemies known to them and others known to God.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:11
text: If opponents incline to peace, the Prophet is told to incline to it and trust
God; if they seek betrayal, God is said to be sufficient.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:12
text: God is said to have strengthened the Prophet with help, with the faithful,
and by uniting their hearts.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:13
text: The Prophet is told to stir up the faithful to fight, with ratios describing
a smaller steadfast group vanquishing a larger group by God's permission.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: obs:14
text: The passage discusses captives, ransom, spoils that are lawful and good, and
forgiveness for captives if God knows good in their hearts.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- ev:15
- id: obs:15
text: Believers who fled homes, spent substance, fought in God's cause, and those
who gave the Prophet asylum and help are described as near kin or faithful, with
mercy and provision due to them.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- ev:17
- id: obs:16
text: Believers who have not fled their homes are said not to have rights of kindred
until they also fly their country, though aid is due if sought on account of faith
except against treaty partners.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- id: obs:17
text: Those united by blood ties are described as nearest of kin to each other in
the Book of God.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:18
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: God
description: Divine actor who makes perceptions change, commands obedience, judges,
punishes, strengthens the Prophet, unites hearts, knows hidden enemies, repays
expenditure, and forgives.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:10
- ev:12
- ev:15
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Apostle / Prophet
description: The addressed leader whom believers are told to obey and who is instructed
regarding battle, peace, captives, and the faithful.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:11
- ev:13
- ev:15
- ev:16
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Believers / faithful / Muslims
description: The group instructed to stand firm, remember God, endure, fight, spend
in God's cause, migrate, and aid one another.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:10
- ev:13
- ev:16
- ev:17
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Meccans
description: A group described as coming out insolently and visibly before people,
while turning others from God's way.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Satan
description: A deceiving figure who promises victory and aid but withdraws when
the armies come in sight, saying he sees what others do not and fears God.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Two armies
description: The opposing military groups whose coming into sight leads Satan to
withdraw.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Hypocrites and diseased of heart
description: Speakers who say that the Muslims' religion has misled them.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Angels
description: Beings who cause infidels to die, strike their faces and backs, and
announce burning torture.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Infidels / thankless unbelievers
description: Those who do not believe, are warned that they shall not escape God,
and are among the enemies against whom force is prepared.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:10
- ev:13
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: People of Pharaoh
description: An earlier people compared with the present unbelievers; they denied
signs, were destroyed in their sins, and were drowned.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Treaty-breakers / treacherous people
description: Groups described as breaking their league or potentially acting treacherously,
requiring treaty response.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:11
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Captives
description: People in the believers' hands, addressed through the Prophet concerning
possible good in their hearts, compensation, and forgiveness.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Believers who fled their homes
description: Believers who migrated or fled their country, spent substance, and
fought in God's cause.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- ev:17
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: Those who gave the Prophet asylum and help
description: Believers who took in the Prophet and assisted him, described as near
kin to those who believed and fled.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- ev:17
- id: fig:15
name_or_label: Blood kin
description: Those united by ties of blood and described as nearest kin to each
other.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:18
roles:
- id: role:1
label: divine commander
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Commands are framed around obedience to God, mention of God's name, preparation,
peace, and trust in God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: role:2
label: divine judge and punisher
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God is described as severe in punishing, not unjust, destroying wrongdoers,
and holding enemies unable to escape.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:10
- id: role:3
label: prophetic military and communal leader
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The Prophet is addressed about stirring the faithful to fight, leaning to
peace, captives, and communal relations.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:13
- ev:15
- ev:16
- id: role:4
label: steadfast combatants
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Believers are commanded to stand firm, endure, and fight with divine permission.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:13
- id: role:5
label: deceiver and deserter
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Satan promises help and invincibility, then turns away and disavows the group
when the armies come in sight.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:6
label: unbelieving opponents
assigned_to:
- fig:4
- fig:9
basis: Meccans and infidels are described as opposing God's way or lacking belief
and understanding.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:13
- id: role:7
label: agents of death punishment
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Angels cause infidels to die, smite them, and announce burning torture.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: exemplary punished predecessors
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The people of Pharaoh are cited as earlier deniers destroyed and drowned
in their sins.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:9
label: faith-based kin and allies
assigned_to:
- fig:3
- fig:13
- fig:14
basis: Migrants, fighters, and helpers of the Prophet are described as near kin,
faithful, and mutually obligated.
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- ev:17
- id: role:10
label: opposing armies
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The passage refers to the moment when the two armies came in sight.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:11
label: skeptical internal speakers
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: They state that the Muslims' religion has misled them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:12
label: covenant violators
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: They are associated with breaking leagues, treachery, and treaty management.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:11
- id: role:13
label: ransomed prisoners
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: Captives are addressed after ransom and are promised possible restoration
and forgiveness if good is found in their hearts.
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- ev:15
- id: role:14
label: blood relatives
assigned_to:
- fig:15
basis: Blood ties are said to make persons nearest kin to each other.
evidence_refs:
- ev:18
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: burning torture
literal_form: The torture of burning announced to dying infidels
associated_figures:
- fig:8
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:2
label: drowning of Pharaoh's people
literal_form: The drowning of the people of Pharaoh
associated_figures:
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:3
label: league or treaty
literal_form: A league or treaty between peoples that can be broken, renounced,
preserved, or used as an exception to aid obligations
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:11
- ev:16
- id: sym:4
label: united hearts
literal_form: The hearts of the faithful made one by God
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: sym:5
label: spoils and ransom
literal_form: Spoils taken in battle and ransom received for captives
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- ev:15
- id: sym:6
label: ties of blood
literal_form: Blood ties marking nearest kinship
associated_figures:
- fig:15
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:18
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Divinely governed battle perception
summary: At a meeting of opposing forces, God is said to make each side appear diminished
to the other so that a predetermined matter would occur.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:6
- fig:9
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Exhortation to steadfast battle conduct
summary: Believers are instructed to stand firm, remember God, obey God and the
Apostle, avoid dispute, and endure.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Satan's promise and withdrawal
summary: Satan promises victory and nearness to help, but withdraws when the armies
appear and declares himself clear of the group.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Angelic death punishment
summary: Angels cause infidels to die, strike their faces and backs, and announce
burning torture as recompense for what they have done.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Pharaoh's people as prior destroyed wrongdoers
summary: The unbelievers' state is likened to Pharaoh's people and earlier deniers;
the people of Pharaoh are said to have been drowned.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:6
label: Treaty, treachery, preparation, and peace
summary: The passage instructs how to respond to treaty-breakers, prepare force,
incline to peace if opponents do so, and trust God's sufficiency if betrayal is
sought.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: scene:7
label: God unites and strengthens the faithful
summary: God is said to strengthen the Prophet with divine help and with the faithful,
making their hearts one beyond what earthly riches could accomplish.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: scene:8
label: Numerical promise of victory for steadfast fighters
summary: The Prophet is told to stir the faithful to fight, and smaller steadfast
groups are said to be able to vanquish larger unbelieving groups by God's permission.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:9
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: scene:9
label: Captives, ransom, spoils, and mercy
summary: The passage addresses captives, ransom, lawful spoils, possible restoration
beyond what was taken, and forgiveness for captives with good in their hearts.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- ev:15
- id: scene:10
label: Migration, aid, asylum, and kinship
summary: Believers who fled, fought, spent substance, or gave asylum and help are
assigned communal kinship and obligations, while blood ties are also affirmed.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:13
- fig:14
- fig:15
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- ev:17
- ev:18
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Divine judgment on unbelief and treachery
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: God is described as punishing, destroying prior deniers, preventing enemies
from escape, and authorizing punishment or warning for treaty-breakers and hostile
unbelievers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The passage is legal-exhortative as well as narrative; motif labeling
should not flatten the doctrinal and historical context.
- id: motif:2
label: Covenant or treaty loyalty and violation
taxonomy_refs:
- covenant
basis: The passage explicitly refers to leagues and treaties, condemns those who
break them, and gives procedures for suspected treachery and treaty exceptions.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:11
- ev:16
confidence: high
cautions: The terms are rendered as league and treaty rather than covenant in the
excerpt; the taxonomy link is based on the function of binding agreements.
- id: motif:3
label: Deceptive supernatural ally abandons followers at crisis
taxonomy_refs:
- trickster_boundary
basis: Satan promises military invincibility and help, then reverses position and
disavows the group at the moment the armies come in sight.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage identifies Satan directly as a deceiver; the broader trickster-boundary
category is approximate and should be reviewed.
- id: motif:4
label: Punished predecessor people as warning example
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The people of Pharaoh and those before them are invoked as earlier deniers
seized, destroyed, and drowned for wrongdoing.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The passage uses Pharaoh's people as an exemplum; it does not retell the
full earlier story.
- id: motif:5
label: Faith-based replacement or expansion of kinship
taxonomy_refs:
- covenant
basis: Belief, migration, fighting, asylum, and aid create rights of kinship or
near-kindred obligations, alongside a final affirmation of blood ties.
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- ev:17
- ev:18
confidence: medium
cautions: This is a communal-legal pattern rather than a narrative myth episode;
taxonomy fit should be checked.
- id: motif:6
label: Sacred recompense for expenditure and loss
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Expenditure in God's cause is said to be repaid, spoils are regulated, and
captives are told God may give good beyond what was taken and forgive them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:14
- ev:15
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage treats lawful war-spoils and mercy; the sacred-exchange classification
is interpretive and should be reviewed.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 20703-20705
quote_or_summary: God makes the opposing group appear few to the believers and diminishes
the believers in the opponents' eyes so that the ordained matter occurs; all things
return to God.
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 20707-20713
quote_or_summary: Believers are told to stand firm when confronting a troop, mention
God often, obey God and the Apostle, avoid dispute, and endure steadfastly.
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 20715-20717
quote_or_summary: The passage warns not to be like Meccans who came out insolently,
to be seen by people, and who turn others from God's way.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: quote
locator: lines 20719-20723
quote_or_summary: Satan says, "No man shall conquer you this day" and promises help,
but when the armies come in sight he turns back and says, "I am clear of you"
and "I fear God."
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 20725-20727
quote_or_summary: Hypocrites and those diseased of heart say that the Muslims' religion
has misled them; trust in God is affirmed.
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 20729-20733
quote_or_summary: Angels cause infidels to die, strike faces and backs, and tell
them to taste burning torture; this is for what their hands sent before, and God
is not unjust.
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 20735-20737
quote_or_summary: Their state is likened to Pharaoh's people and earlier groups
who did not believe in God's signs; God seized them in their sin.
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 20743-20746
quote_or_summary: Again their state is compared to Pharaoh's people and those before
them; God destroyed them in their sins and drowned Pharaoh's people as wrongdoers.
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 20748-20758
quote_or_summary: The worst beasts are thankless unbelievers; those leagued with
the Prophet break their league; instructions are given for wartime warning and
fairly throwing back a treaty when treachery is feared.
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 20760-20766
quote_or_summary: Infidels will not escape God; believers are told to prepare force
and strong squadrons to terrify enemies known to them and others known to God;
expenditure in God's cause will be repaid.
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 20768-20772
quote_or_summary: If opponents lean to peace, the Prophet should also lean to it
and trust God; if they seek betrayal, God will be sufficient.
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 20772-20776
quote_or_summary: God strengthens the Prophet with divine help and with the faithful,
and unites their hearts beyond what all earthly riches could accomplish.
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 20778-20788
quote_or_summary: The Prophet is told that God and faithful followers are sufficient;
he should stir the faithful to fight; smaller steadfast groups can vanquish larger
numbers by God's permission.
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 20790-20798
quote_or_summary: No prophet takes captives before great slaughter; a prior ordinance
averts severe chastisement for ransom taken; believers may eat lawful and good
spoils and fear God.
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 20800-20807
quote_or_summary: The Prophet is told to say to captives that if God knows good
in their hearts, God will give them good beyond what was taken and forgive them;
if they deal treacherously, God already gave power over them.
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 20809-20817
quote_or_summary: Those who believed, fled homes, spent substance for God's cause,
and those who took in and helped the Prophet are near kin; believers who have
not fled have no kindred rights until they flee, though aid is due for faith except
against treaty partners.
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 20821-20825
quote_or_summary: Those who believed, fled their country, fought on God's path,
and gave the Prophet asylum and help are called the faithful; mercy and noble
provision are their due.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:18
type: summary
locator: lines 20827-20830
quote_or_summary: Later believers who fled and fought are included; those united
by blood ties are nearest kin in the Book of God, and God knows all things.
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: The passage is explicit on battle exhortation, divine judgment, treaty obligations,
captives, and communal kinship. Some motif taxonomy assignments are interpretive
because the excerpt is primarily religious-legal and exhortative rather than a
self-contained myth narrative. No comparison claims were added because the passage
itself does not support external comparative claims.
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 and metadata. Footnote numbers embedded in the passage were not treated as independent evidence beyond the main text.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg__l20703-l20832
passage_sha256=8b031f004d170bb6f3b4f22fe1caa1af022e1df0054012d5ae5cb297d0007eeb