batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l23974-l24086
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l23974-l24086
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 23974-24086
start: '23974'
end: '24086'
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: God is the LIGHT of the Heavens and of the Earth.
summary: The passage gives rules for entering houses, modesty, marriage, manumission,
and sexual coercion; presents clear signs and the parable of God's light; contrasts
worshippers and unbelievers; describes universal praise of God, weather, creation
of animals from water, and the difference between obedient believers and those
who withdraw from judgment by God and the Apostle.
language: English
quote_policy: quoted
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Believers are told not to enter houses other than their own until they have
asked leave and saluted the inhabitants.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: If no one is found in a house, entry is forbidden until permission is given;
if told to go back, the person must go back.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Believing men are instructed to restrain their eyes and observe continence.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Believing women are instructed to restrain their eyes, observe continence,
cover their bosoms with veils, and limit the display of ornaments to specified
persons.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The community is instructed to marry the single and good servants or handmaidens,
and those unable to find a match are told to live in continence until God enriches
them.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Those whose slaves desire a deed of manumission are told to execute it if
good is known in them and to give them a portion of wealth given by God.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: Female slaves are not to be forced into sin for worldly gain if they wish
to preserve modesty.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: God's light is compared to a niche containing a lamp, the lamp encased in
glass like a glistening star, lit from a blessed olive tree.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: In temples allowed by God to be raised, men remember God's name and praise
Him morning and evening.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:10
text: Certain men are not diverted by merchandise or traffic from remembrance of
God, prayer, and alms, because they fear a day of distress.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: The works of infidels are compared to a mirage or vapour in a plain that a
thirsty person takes for water but does not find.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:12
text: The state of infidels is also compared to darkness on the deep sea beneath
billows, clouds, and darkness upon darkness.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:13
text: All in the heavens and the earth, including birds spreading their wings, are
said to praise God, and every creature knows its prayer and praise.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:14
text: God is said to drive, gather, and pile clouds, bring forth rain, send clouds
like mountains charged with hail, and make lightning whose brightness nearly takes
away sight.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:15
text: God causes day and night to alternate, and this is called teaching for people
of insight.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:16
text: God created every animal of water; some move on the belly, some on two feet,
and some on four feet.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:17
text: Some say they believe in God and the Apostle and obey, but then turn back
and withdraw when summoned for judgment.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: obs:18
text: The believers' response when called to God and His Apostle for judgment is
to say, 'We have heard, and we obey.'
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: obs:19
text: A group swears solemnly that they will march forth if commanded, but they
are told not to swear and that obedience is of greater worth.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: God
description: The divine figure who knows deeds, sends signs, gives light, guides
whom He wills, receives praise, owns the kingdom, creates animals from water,
judges, recompenses, and commands obedience.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
- ev:13
- ev:14
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Believers
description: Those addressed with rules on entry, modesty, repentance, marriage,
obedience, and response to judgment.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:14
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Believing women
description: Women instructed to restrain their eyes, observe continence, use veils
over their bosoms, and limit display of ornaments.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Slaves and female slaves
description: Servants and handmaidens included in marriage instruction; slaves may
desire manumission; female slaves are not to be forced into sin for worldly gain.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Men in temples
description: Men who praise God morning and evening and are not diverted by commerce
from remembrance, prayer, and alms.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Infidels
description: Those whose works are compared to a mirage and whose state is compared
to darkness in the deep sea.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Creatures, birds, and animals
description: Creatures in the heavens and earth praise God; birds spread their wings;
animals are created from water and move in different ways.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:12
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: The Apostle
description: The figure alongside God before whom people are summoned for judgment
and whom believers obey.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Those who claim belief but turn back
description: People who say they believe in God and the Apostle and obey, yet later
turn back or withdraw when summoned for judgment.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
roles:
- id: role:1
label: Divine knower and guide
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God is said to know what people do openly and secretly, to guide whom He
wills to His light, and to send down signs.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- ev:13
- id: role:2
label: Divine creator and controller of natural order
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God drives clouds, brings rain and hail, alternates day and night, and creates
animals from water.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: role:3
label: Divine judge and recompensor
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God pays the account, recompenses excellent works, owns the final return,
and judges between people.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:10
- ev:13
- ev:14
- id: role:4
label: Obedient addressed community
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Believers are addressed with commands and are described as saying they have
heard and obey when called to judgment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:14
- id: role:5
label: Modesty observers
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Believing women receive detailed instructions on gaze, continence, veiling,
and ornaments.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:6
label: Dependents with marital and manumission protections
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Servants and handmaidens are included in marriage arrangements; slaves seeking
manumission and female slaves resisting coercion are specifically addressed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:7
label: Steadfast worshippers
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: They praise God in temples and are not beguiled by commerce from remembrance,
prayer, and alms.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:8
label: Figures of futile works and darkness
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Their works are compared to a vanishing mirage and their condition to layered
darkness without light from God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:9
label: Nonhuman praisers and created beings
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: All creatures are said to know their prayer and praise, and animals are described
as created from water.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:12
- id: role:10
label: Judicial and obediently followed messenger
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: People are summoned before God and the Apostle for judgment, and obedience
to God and the Apostle is commended.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
- id: role:11
label: Professed believers who withdraw
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: They say they believe and obey but turn back and withdraw when summoned for
judgment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Divine light
literal_form: Light of the heavens and earth; light given or withheld by God
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:9
- id: sym:2
label: Niche, lamp, glass, and star-like brilliance
literal_form: A niche containing a lamp, the lamp in glass, the glass like a glistening
star
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:3
label: Blessed olive tree
literal_form: A blessed olive tree, neither of the East nor the West, whose oil
nearly shines without fire
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:4
label: Fire touching oil
literal_form: Fire that touches or need not touch the olive oil in the light parable
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:5
label: Temple remembrance
literal_form: Temples raised by God's permission where His name is remembered
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:6
label: Mirage-like water
literal_form: Vapour in a plain that the thirsty person dreams to be water but does
not find
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:7
label: Deep sea darkness
literal_form: Darkness on the deep sea, covered by billows above which are clouds,
darkness upon darkness
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:8
label: Clouds like mountains with hail
literal_form: Clouds piled in masses and like mountains charged with hail descending
from heaven
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: sym:9
label: Rain and lightning
literal_form: Rain from gathered clouds and lightning whose brightness almost takes
away sight
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: sym:10
label: Day and night alternation
literal_form: Day and night taking their turn
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: sym:11
label: Animals created from water
literal_form: Every animal created of water, moving on belly, two feet, or four
feet
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Regulation of entry, modesty, marriage, and manumission
summary: The addressed believers receive rules for entering homes, restraining gaze,
preserving continence, veiling, marriage, manumission, and avoiding coercion of
female slaves.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:2
label: Parable of God's light and worship in temples
summary: God is described as the light of the heavens and earth through a parable
of niche, lamp, glass, star-like brightness, olive tree, oil, and fire; men in
temples praise Him and are not diverted by commerce.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:3
label: Unbelievers' works as mirage and darkness
summary: The works and condition of infidels are compared to a thirsty person's
false expectation of water and to layered darkness in the deep sea without light
from God.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: scene:4
label: Cosmic praise, weather, and creation from water
summary: All beings praise God; God owns the heavens and earth, controls cloud,
rain, hail, lightning, day and night, and creates animals from water.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
- sym:9
- sym:10
- sym:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: scene:5
label: Judgment, obedience, and withdrawal
summary: Some who claim belief withdraw when summoned before God and the Apostle,
while true believers respond that they have heard and obey; solemn oaths are subordinated
to obedience.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
- ev:15
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Divine light as guidance
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: God's light is elaborated through a lamp-and-tree parable, followed by the
statement that God guides whom He wills to His light and sets forth parables for
humans.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The taxonomy reference 'wisdom' is approximate; the passage explicitly
emphasizes guidance and parable rather than a named wisdom figure.
- id: motif:2
label: Divine judgment and final accounting
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The passage describes fear of a day of distress, recompense for excellent
works, full payment of account, final return to God, and summons before God and
the Apostle for judgment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:10
- ev:13
- ev:14
confidence: high
cautions: ''
- id: motif:3
label: Futile works as mirage and darkness without divine light
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Infidels' works are compared to a mirage that yields no water and to darkness
upon darkness in the deep sea, ending with the statement that one to whom God
gives no light has no light.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: No supplied motif-family taxonomy directly matches this imagery; retained
as a passage-level motif candidate.
- id: motif:4
label: Universal creaturely praise of God
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: All in the heavens and earth, including birds, are said to utter God's praise,
and every creature knows its prayer and praise.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The passage states universal praise directly, but no available motif-family
reference specifically covers it.
- id: motif:5
label: Creation of living beings from water
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: God is said to have created every animal of water, with animals differentiated
by modes of movement.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
confidence: high
cautions: Only the supplied symbol taxonomy includes water; the available motif-family
list has no direct 'creation from water' motif.
- id: motif:6
label: Obedience surpassing oath
taxonomy_refs:
- covenant
basis: A group swears a solemn oath to march if commanded, but the passage says
not to swear and that obedience is of greater worth; true believers say they have
heard and obey.
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- ev:15
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage emphasizes obedience and oath language, but it does not explicitly
describe a formal covenant.
- id: motif:7
label: Sacred social boundaries and bodily modesty
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage sets boundaries around entering houses, gaze, continence, veiling,
ornaments, marriage, and sexual coercion.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: This is a legal-ethical pattern in the passage rather than a mythic narrative
motif from the supplied taxonomy.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 23974-23986
quote_or_summary: Believers are instructed not to enter others' houses until asking
permission and saluting; if no one is present or they are told to go back, they
must not enter; God knows what they reveal and hide.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 23987-23989
quote_or_summary: Believing men are told to restrain their eyes and observe continence,
which is described as purifying.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 23990-24002
quote_or_summary: Believing women are told to restrain their eyes, observe continence,
cover their bosoms with veils, and not display ornaments except to specified relatives,
dependents, women, slaves, certain male domestics, and children.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 24003-24009
quote_or_summary: The community is told to marry the single and good servants or
handmaidens; the poor may be enriched by God's bounty; those without a match are
to remain continent until God enriches them.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 24010-24017
quote_or_summary: Owners are told to grant manumission deeds to slaves who desire
them if good is known in them and not to force female slaves into sin for worldly
gain if they seek modesty.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:6
type: quote
locator: 24018-24027
quote_or_summary: '"God is the LIGHT of the Heavens and of the Earth"; His light
is compared to a niche, lamp, glass like a star, and oil from a blessed olive
tree, with "light upon light" and guidance to His light.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; brief quote excerpted for identification.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 24028-24038
quote_or_summary: In temples raised by God's permission, men remember and praise
Him morning and evening; commerce does not divert them from remembrance, prayer,
and alms; they fear a distressing day and expect recompense and increase from
God.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 24039-24045
quote_or_summary: The works of infidels are likened to vapour in a plain that a
thirsty person imagines to be water, but finds nothing; God is found with him
and pays his account swiftly.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: 24046-24052
quote_or_summary: Infidels are also compared to darkness on the deep sea, with billows,
clouds, and darkness upon darkness, so that a person can hardly see his hand;
without God's light there is no light.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: 24053-24059
quote_or_summary: All in the heavens and earth praise God, including birds spreading
their wings; every creature knows its prayer and praise; God's is the kingdom
and to God is the final return.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: 24060-24067
quote_or_summary: God drives clouds forward, gathers and piles them, brings rain
from them, sends clouds like mountains charged with hail, and produces lightning
whose brightness almost takes away sight.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: 24068-24074
quote_or_summary: God alternates day and night as teaching for people of insight
and creates every animal from water, with some moving on the belly, some on two
feet, and some on four feet.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:13
type: summary
locator: 24075-24083
quote_or_summary: Some say they believe in God and the Apostle and obey but turn
back; when summoned before God and His Apostle for judgment, a part withdraws,
and they are described as unjust.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:14
type: quote
locator: 24084-24086
quote_or_summary: 'The believers'' words when called for judgment are: "We have
heard, and we obey"; those who obey God and the Apostle and fear God are called
blissful.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; brief quote excerpted for identification.
- id: ev:15
type: summary
locator: '24086'
quote_or_summary: Some swear solemnly that they will march forth if commanded; the
reply says not to swear, because obedience is of greater worth and God knows what
they do.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is strong because the passage is explicit. Motif assignment
is partly interpretive, especially taxonomy mapping for wisdom and covenant. No
comparison claims were made because the passage itself does not support a specific
cross-text 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 content is based only on the supplied passage and metadata. Line locators are approximate within the provided stable range because the passage was supplied as a block rather than with per-line numbering.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg__l23974-l24086
passage_sha256=b6d799b0e4845e6f51ac0b4e7c5545eb91fd3f566c244dcc3427e4f51d17c087