batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l998-l1141
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg-l998-l1141
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 998-1141
start: '998'
end: '1141'
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 presents an opening prayer praising Allah as merciful maker
and king of the day of fate, asking for guidance on the straight path. It then
gives Sura XCVI, in which God commands recitation in the name of the creating
Lord, says man was created from clots of blood, teaches by the pen, warns against
human insolence and opposition to a praying servant, and threatens punishment
by the guards of Hell while commanding adoration and nearness to God. Translator
notes discuss the Bismillah formula, the term qaraa, and Gabriel as speaker in
the Suras.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Allah is praised as merciful, compassionate, maker of the three worlds, and
king of the day of fate.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The speaking worshippers say they worship Allah alone and ask Allah alone
for aid.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The worshippers ask to be guided to the straight path, distinguished from
the path of those hated or deviating.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The Sura opens with a command to recite in the name of the Lord who created.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: Man is said to have been created from clots of blood.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: The Lord is said to have taught the use of the pen and taught man what he
did not know.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Man is described as insolent because he sees himself as possessed of riches.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: All are said to return to the Lord.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: A figure is described as holding back a servant of God when the servant prays.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: The passage asks whether the obstructing figure knows that God sees.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: A warning states that if the obstructing figure does not desist, he will be
seized by the forelock, described as lying and sinful.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:12
text: The obstructing figure may summon his associates, while the divine speaker
will summon the guards of Hell.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:13
text: The final command is not to obey the obstructing figure, but to adore and
draw near to God.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:14
text: A translator note says the Bismillah formula is of Jewish origin and was adopted
and used by Muhammad.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:15
text: A translator note says the speaker in the Suras is Gabriel, of whom Muhammad
believed he had a vision on Mount Hira near Mecca.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Allah / God / Lord
description: The merciful and compassionate deity praised as maker, worshipped alone,
asked for guidance, creator of man, teacher by the pen, seer of human acts, and
summoner of Hell's guards.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Speaking worshippers
description: The first-person plural speakers who worship Allah alone and ask for
aid and guidance.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Man
description: Humanity, created from clots of blood, taught by the Lord, and described
as prone to insolence when rich.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Servant of God
description: A servant of God who prays and is held back by another figure.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: One who holds back the servant
description: A figure who holds back a servant of God during prayer, is accused
of lying and sin, and is threatened with seizure by the forelock.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Associates
description: The associates whom the obstructing figure is told to summon.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Guards of Hell
description: The guards of Hell whom the divine speaker says will be summoned.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Gabriel
description: In a translator note, Gabriel is identified as the speaker in the Suras.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Muhammad
description: In translator notes, Muhammad is said to have adopted and used the
Bismillah formula and to have believed he had a vision of Gabriel on Mount Hira.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
roles:
- id: role:1
label: merciful sovereign
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Allah is called merciful and compassionate and king of the day of fate.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: creator
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God is described as maker of the worlds and as Lord who created man.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: role:3
label: teacher of knowledge
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The Lord teaches the use of the pen and teaches man what he did not know.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:4
label: judge and punisher
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: All return to the Lord; God sees; the divine speaker threatens seizure and
summons Hell's guards.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:5
label: supplicants
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The speakers worship and ask for aid and guidance.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:6
label: created human subject
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Man is created from clots, taught, and warned against insolence.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:7
label: praying servant
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: A servant of God is described as praying.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: opponent of prayer
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: This figure holds back the praying servant and is warned to desist.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:9
label: human allies of opponent
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The opponent is told to summon his associates.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:10
label: agents of hellish punishment
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The divine speaker says the guards of Hell will be summoned.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:11
label: angelic speaker in translator note
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The note identifies Gabriel as the speaker in the Suras.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:12
label: recipient and adopter in translator notes
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Notes say Muhammad adopted the formula and believed he had a vision of Gabriel.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: straight path
literal_form: path that is straight
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: day of fate
literal_form: day of Fate
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: clots of blood
literal_form: clots of blood
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: pen
literal_form: the pen
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:5
label: forelock
literal_form: lying sinful forelock
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:6
label: Hell
literal_form: Hell
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:7
label: Mount Hira
literal_form: mountain Hira near Mecca
associated_figures:
- fig:8
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Opening praise and supplication
summary: Allah is praised as merciful creator and king of the day of fate; the speakers
worship him alone and ask for aid and guidance on the straight path.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Command to recite and divine teaching
summary: The Sura commands recitation in the name of the creating Lord, describes
man as made from clots of blood, and says the Lord taught the pen and unknown
knowledge.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Warning against insolence and obstruction of prayer
summary: Man is warned against insolence from riches, all are said to return to
the Lord, and an opponent who prevents a servant's prayer is warned that God sees.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:4
label: Threat of divine enforcement
summary: The opponent is warned of seizure by the forelock and told he may call
associates, while the divine speaker will call the guards of Hell; the listener
is commanded to adore and draw near to God.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:5
label: Translator note on revelation setting
summary: A note identifies Gabriel as speaker in the Suras and says Muhammad believed
he had a vision of Gabriel on Mount Hira near Mecca.
figure_refs:
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Divine judgment and punishment of the impious opponent
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The passage states that all return to the Lord, that God sees the opponent,
and that the divine speaker will seize him and summon the guards of Hell if he
does not desist.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage emphasizes warning and judgment, but does not narrate the
punishment as already carried out.
- id: motif:2
label: Divine gift of knowledge through writing
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The Lord is said to teach the use of the pen and to teach man what he did
not know.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents teaching as a theological claim, not a full wisdom
tale.
- id: motif:3
label: Guidance on the straight path
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The worshippers ask Allah to guide them to the straight path and away from
hated or deviating paths.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: No supplied taxonomy reference directly corresponds to the straight-path
image.
- id: motif:4
label: Human origin from lowly bodily matter
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Man is said to be created from clots of blood.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The available taxonomy list does not include a creation-from-blood or
anthropogony category.
- id: motif:5
label: Visionary revelation through an angelic speaker on a mountain
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The translator note says Gabriel is the speaker in the Suras and that Muhammad
believed he had a vision on Mount Hira near Mecca.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: medium
cautions: This is from a translator note, not the translated verses in this passage,
and no available motif family precisely matches it.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: A translator note explicitly compares the Bismillah formula to Jewish tradition
by stating that it is of Jewish origin and was adopted and used by Muhammad.
claim_level: historical_contact
target: Jewish-origin sacred formula used as the Bismillah
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The claim rests on the translator's note within the passage, not on
independent evidence supplied here.
- id: claim:2
claim: A translator note links the Qur'anic root qaraa to the term Koran and analogizes
it to Rabbinic mikra, supporting a cautious linguistic comparison rather than
a motif identity.
claim_level: linguistic_similarity
target: Rabbinic mikra and the Arabic root qaraa / Koran
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The comparison is lexical and philological; it does not establish shared
narrative motif or historical dependence by itself.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 998-1002
quote_or_summary: 'Opening prayer: in Allah''s name; praise to Allah who made the
three worlds; merciful and compassionate; king of the day of fate; worshipped
alone and asked for aid.'
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: lines 1003-1006
quote_or_summary: The speakers ask to be guided to the straight path, the path of
those loved, not those hated or deviating.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:3
type: quote
locator: Sura XCVI, opening verses in supplied passage
quote_or_summary: '"RECITE thou, in the name of thy Lord who created; Created man
from CLOTS OF BLOOD"'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation used for evidence.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: Sura XCVI, verses on pen in supplied passage
quote_or_summary: The Lord is called most beneficent, teaches the use of the pen,
and teaches man what he did not know.
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: Sura XCVI, verses on human insolence and return in supplied passage
quote_or_summary: Man is called insolent because he sees himself rich; all return
to the Lord.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: Sura XCVI, verses on the servant at prayer in supplied passage
quote_or_summary: The passage asks about one who holds back a servant of God when
he prays and asks whether that figure knows God sees.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-rodwell.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short summary used.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: Sura XCVI, closing warning in supplied passage
quote_or_summary: If the opponent does not desist, he will be seized by the lying
sinful forelock; he may summon associates, while the divine speaker summons guards
of Hell; the command is to adore and draw near to 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: translator note 2 to Sura XCVI in supplied passage
quote_or_summary: The note says the Bismillah formula is of Jewish origin, was taught
to the Koreisch by Omayah of Taief, and was adopted and constantly used by Muhammad.
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: translator note 3 to Sura XCVI in supplied passage
quote_or_summary: The note says Gabriel is the speaker in the Suras and that Muhammad
believed he had a vision of Gabriel on Mount Hira near Mecca.
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: translator note 3 to Sura XCVI in supplied passage
quote_or_summary: The note discusses qaraa as the root of Koran, meaning to address,
recite, call, cry aloud, or proclaim, and compares it with Rabbinic mikra.
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: medium
notes: Verse-level observations are direct from the supplied passage. Some figures
and motifs derive from translator notes rather than the translated Qur'anic verses
and should be reviewed separately.
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: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
No taxonomy IDs beyond the supplied lists were added. Comparison claims are limited to claims explicitly made by translator notes in the passage.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-rodwell-gutenberg__l998-l1141
passage_sha256=3a67a7cd73b2d362ee94dfd9b75edffced48a5b847ce111473aefbdab89fd9a0