batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l26317-l26427
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l26317-l26427
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 26317-26427
start: '26317'
end: '26427'
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 contrasts hostile and receptive groups, describes Christians
moved to tears by revelation, promises gardens with rivers to the righteous and
Hell-fire to sign-deniers, gives rules about lawful food, oaths, intoxicants,
gambling, idols, divining arrows, hunting during pilgrimage, the Caaba, questioning,
ancestral custom, and testamentary witnesses.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The passage says Jews and those who join other gods with God are most intense
in hatred toward believers, while those saying they are Christians are nearest
in affection.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Some Christians are described as priests and monks and as free from pride.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: When they hear what has been sent down to the Apostle, their eyes overflow
with tears because they recognize truth in it, and they ask to be written among
witnesses.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: God rewards these words with gardens beneath which rivers flow, where the
righteous abide forever.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Those who disbelieve and treat signs as lies are described as inmates of Hell-fire.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: Believers are instructed not to forbid wholesome foods that God has allowed
and to eat lawful and wholesome food.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: A serious oath may be expiated by feeding ten poor persons, clothing them,
freeing a captive, or fasting three days if means are lacking.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: Wine, games of chance, statues, and divining arrows are called an abomination
of Satan's work and are to be avoided.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: Satan is said to seek to sow hatred and strife through wine and games of chance
and to turn people aside from remembrance of God and prayer.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:10
text: God will test believers with game they can take by hand or lance, in order
to know who fears him in secret.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: Believers are forbidden to kill game while on pilgrimage; deliberate killing
requires compensation by domestic animals, feeding the poor, or fasting.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:12
text: Fishing in the sea and eating fish are lawful, while land hunting remains
unlawful during pilgrimage.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:13
text: The Caaba, the sacred house, is appointed as a station for mankind, along
with the sacred month, the offering, and its ornaments.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:14
text: The Apostle is described as only bound to preach or deliver a plain announcement.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: obs:15
text: The passage says evil and good are not to be valued alike, even if abundance
of evil pleases someone.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:16
text: Believers are told not to ask about things that, if told, might pain them;
earlier people asked about such things and then disbelieved.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:17
text: The passage rejects invented rules concerning Bahira, Saba, Wasila, and Hami
and criticizes reliance on ancestral faith without knowledge or guidance.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:18
text: When death draws near, testamentary witnesses are to be appointed, and procedures
are given for oath-taking and replacement if falsehood is discovered.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: God
description: The divine speaker and judge who permits, forbids, rewards, punishes,
forgives, tests, and knows what is hidden and manifest.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: The Apostle
description: The recipient or messenger associated with what has been sent down
and with preaching or delivering a plain announcement.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Believers
description: The addressed community instructed about food, oaths, intoxicants,
pilgrimage hunting, questioning, self-care, and testamentary witnesses.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Christians, priests, and monks
description: Those who say 'We are Christians,' some of whom are priests and monks,
described as affectionate toward believers and moved to tears by revelation.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Jews and those who join other gods with God
description: Groups described as most intense in hatred of those who believe.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Satan
description: Agent whose work is associated with wine, games of chance, statues,
and divining arrows, and who seeks to sow hatred and turn people from remembrance
and prayer.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Unbelievers and sign-deniers
description: Those who disbelieve, treat signs as lies, invent lies against God,
or rely on ancestral faith without guidance.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Testamentary witnesses
description: Just persons or others from a different tribe who witness a testament
near death and may swear concerning their testimony.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: divine lawgiver and judge
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God issues permissions and prohibitions, rewards righteous speech, punishes
unbelief and transgression, forgives, tests, and knows hidden and open things.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:2
label: messenger or preacher
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The Apostle is linked to revelation and is said to be bound to deliver or
preach plainly.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: role:3
label: addressed religious community
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The repeated address 'O believers' introduces rules and admonitions for conduct.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:4
label: receptive witnesses to revelation
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: They recognize truth in what is sent down, weep, confess belief, and ask
to be written among witnesses.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:5
label: tempter and sower of strife
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Satan is said to sow hatred and strife through wine and games of chance and
to turn people from remembrance and prayer.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:6
label: opponents or unbelievers
assigned_to:
- fig:5
- fig:7
basis: The passage describes hatred toward believers, disbelief, treating signs
as lies, and inventing lies against God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: role:7
label: legal witnesses
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: They are appointed at the time of making a testament and swear not to conceal
testimony or take a bribe.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: gardens beneath which rivers flow
literal_form: Paradisal gardens with flowing rivers
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: Hell-fire
literal_form: Fire as the place or condition of inmates who disbelieve and deny
signs
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: wine, games of chance, statues, and divining arrows
literal_form: Prohibited objects and practices called an abomination of Satan's
work
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: game taken by hand or lance
literal_form: Huntable game used as a test during pilgrimage rules
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: compensatory offering to the Caaba
literal_form: Domestic animals of equal value, feeding the poor, or fasting as expiation
for killing game on pilgrimage
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: the Caaba, sacred house
literal_form: The Caaba appointed as a sacred house and station for mankind
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:7
label: testamentary oath and witnesses
literal_form: Two witnesses, oath by God, and replacement witnesses if falsehood
is discovered
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Recognition of revelation by receptive Christians
summary: Those called Christians, including priests and monks, are described as
humble and affectionate; when they hear what has been sent down to the Apostle,
they weep, affirm belief, and ask to be counted among witnesses.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Afterlife reward and punishment
summary: God rewards truthful belief with everlasting gardens beneath rivers, while
those who disbelieve and deny signs are assigned to Hell-fire.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Lawful food and oath expiation
summary: Believers are told not to forbid lawful wholesome food and are given specific
expiations for serious oaths, including feeding, clothing, freeing a captive,
or fasting.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Avoidance of Satanic abominations
summary: Wine, games of chance, statues, and divining arrows are prohibited as Satan's
work, because Satan seeks to create hatred and distract from remembrance of God
and prayer.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Pilgrimage hunting taboo and compensation
summary: God tests believers with accessible game; killing game during pilgrimage
is forbidden and requires compensatory offering, feeding the poor, or fasting,
while sea fishing remains lawful.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:6
label: Sacred station of the Caaba
summary: The Caaba is appointed as a sacred house and station for mankind, together
with the sacred month, offering, and ornaments, and this is linked to God's knowledge
of heaven and earth.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:7
label: Warnings about inquiry and ancestral custom
summary: Believers are warned that some questions may pain them; earlier people
asked and then disbelieved. The passage rejects invented animal customs and criticizes
following fathers without knowledge or guidance.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:7
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:8
label: Witnesses at death and testament
summary: When death approaches, witnesses are to be appointed for a testament; they
may swear by God, and replacement witnesses are prescribed if falsehood is exposed.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Humble outsiders recognize revelation
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: A group identified as Christians, including priests and monks, recognize
truth in the revelation, weep, profess belief, and ask to be counted as witnesses.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: The wisdom taxonomy is only a broad fit; the passage emphasizes recognition
and humility rather than a formal wisdom quest.
- id: motif:2
label: Divine judgment with paradisal reward and fiery punishment
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: God rewards righteous words with everlasting gardens and flowing rivers,
while disbelievers and deniers of signs become inmates of Hell-fire.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives destinations and outcomes but does not narrate a full
judgment scene.
- id: motif:3
label: Expiation through compensatory acts
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
- sacrifice
basis: Serious oaths and pilgrimage game violations are addressed through feeding,
clothing, freeing a captive, fasting, or bringing domestic animals as an offering
to the Caaba.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The 'sacrifice' reference applies only to the domestic-animal offering;
other expiations are non-sacrificial.
- id: motif:4
label: Satanic objects causing social division and ritual forgetfulness
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Wine, gambling, statues, and divining arrows are called Satan's work, and
Satan is said to sow hatred and strife and turn people from remembrance and prayer.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: No specific available taxonomy reference precisely matches this pattern.
- id: motif:5
label: Sacred pilgrimage taboo tested by accessible game
taxonomy_refs:
- initiation
basis: God makes trial of believers with game they can take by hand or lance; killing
land game on pilgrimage is forbidden and requires expiation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The initiation taxonomy is approximate; the passage describes a test of
obedience rather than an initiation rite.
- id: motif:6
label: Sacred center appointed for mankind
taxonomy_refs:
- world_center
basis: The Caaba, the sacred house, is appointed as a station for mankind, together
with sacred time and offerings.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not explicitly call the Caaba a cosmic center; the motif
label is inferred from its role as a sacred station.
- id: motif:7
label: Dangerous or painful inquiry
taxonomy_refs:
- forbidden_knowledge
basis: Believers are told not to ask about things that may pain them if disclosed,
and earlier people are said to have asked such things and then disbelieved.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: This is not a classic forbidden-knowledge story; it is a legal-admonitory
warning against certain questions.
- id: motif:8
label: Oath-bound testimony at the approach of death
taxonomy_refs:
- covenant
basis: Witnesses near death swear by God not to take bribes or conceal testimony,
with a procedure for replacement witnesses if falsehood is found.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The covenant taxonomy is a broad fit for sworn obligation; the passage
does not describe a covenant narrative.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 26317-26329
quote_or_summary: The passage contrasts intense hostility from Jews and associators
with affection from Christians; some Christians are priests and monks, hear what
is sent down to the Apostle, weep at recognized truth, and profess belief.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 26330-26337
quote_or_summary: God rewards their words with gardens beneath which rivers flow,
where they abide forever; those who disbelieve and treat signs as lies are inmates
of Hell-fire.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 26338-26352
quote_or_summary: Believers are told not to forbid wholesome lawful food; serious
oaths are expiated by feeding ten poor persons, clothing them, freeing a captive,
or fasting three days if necessary.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 26353-26368
quote_or_summary: Wine, games of chance, statues, and divining arrows are called
an abomination of Satan's work; Satan seeks to sow hatred and strife and turn
people aside from remembrance of God and prayer; the Apostle must deliver a plain
announcement.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 26369-26393
quote_or_summary: God tests believers with game taken by hand or lance; killing
game on pilgrimage is forbidden and requires compensation, offering, feeding,
or fasting; sea fishing is lawful but land hunting during pilgrimage is not.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 26394-26402
quote_or_summary: God appoints the Caaba, the sacred house, as a station for mankind,
along with sacred month, offering, and ornaments, and is described as knowing
what is hidden and manifest.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 26403-26418
quote_or_summary: The passage says evil and good are not alike; warns believers
not to ask about things that may pain them; rejects invented customs concerning
Bahira, Saba, Wasila, and Hami; and criticizes reliance on ancestral faith without
knowledge or guidance.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 26419-26427
quote_or_summary: Believers are instructed to appoint witnesses when death approaches
and a testament is made; witnesses swear by God not to take bribes or conceal
testimony, and replacement witnesses are prescribed if falsehood is revealed.
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 because the passage is legal and admonitory.
Motif assignments involving broad taxonomy categories such as wisdom, initiation,
world_center, forbidden_knowledge, and covenant require human review.
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 comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not explicitly compare its material to another tradition or corpus.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg__l26317-l26427
passage_sha256=6c2ae7933cbc769517f9f1602d0252b6b507c890530062220801f90ce17d9630