batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l17405-l17478
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l17405-l17478
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
passage_locator:
label: CHAPTER VII / IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. / CHAPTER VIII. / IN
THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.; lines 17405-17478
start: '17405'
end: '17478'
translation: The Koran (Al-Qur'an), Sale translation
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: The passage combines Sale's notes about a Meccan council against Mohammed,
including the devil appearing as an old man of Najd, with Qur'anic material on
God as patron, the division of spoils, the encounter at Bedr, divinely governed
perceptions of the enemy, and exhortations to believers to stand firm, remember
God, obey God and the apostle, and persevere.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The Meccans hold a council after hearing of Mohammed's league with the people
of Medina.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The devil is said to assist at the council in the likeness of an old man of
Najd.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: 'Several proposals are made concerning Mohammed: imprisonment until death,
banishment, and killing him; the proposal to kill him is approved.'
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: A note says the conspiracy was revealed to Mohammed and that he was miraculously
assisted to deceive the conspirators and escape.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: A note connects these events with the battle of Bedr.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: The passage refers to the Koreish, the Caaba, and conduct around the Caaba
including naked circumambulation, whistling, and clapping.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: The passage describes material support for military expeditions, including
camels killed for provisions and hired auxiliaries.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: The Qur'anic text says that God is the believers' patron and helper.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: The Qur'anic text assigns a fifth part of spoils to God, the apostle, his
kindred, orphans, the poor, and the traveller.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: The passage locates the two armies on opposite sides of a valley with a caravan
below them.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: The passage states that the battle occurred without prior mutual appointment
so that God might accomplish what was decreed.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: God causes the enemy to appear few in Mohammed's sleep and preserves the believers
from discouragement and dispute.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:13
text: At the meeting of the armies, God causes each side's numbers to appear diminished
to the other so that the decreed matter may be accomplished.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:14
text: Believers are instructed to stand firm, remember God, obey God and the apostle,
avoid refractoriness, and persevere with patience.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Mohammed
description: The person targeted by the Meccan council and later addressed in connection
with a sleep-vision of the enemy.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Meccans / Koreish
description: The group apprehensive about Mohammed's league with Medina, holding
the council and associated with the Caaba and military support against Mohammed's
party.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Devil in the likeness of an old man of Najd
description: A being said to assist at the Meccan council while appearing as an
old man of Najd, rejecting some proposals about Mohammed.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Abu'lbakhtari
description: A council participant who proposes imprisoning Mohammed in a walled
room until death.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Heshm Ebn Amru
description: A council participant who proposes banishing Mohammed.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Abu Jahl
description: A council participant who proposes putting Mohammed to death, a plan
said to be unanimously approved.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: God
description: The divine actor named as patron and helper, recipient of part of the
spoils, sender of revelation, and arranger of the battle's perceptions and outcome.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: True believers
description: The addressed group told to stand firm, remember God, obey God and
the apostle, and persevere.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Infidels / enemy party
description: The opposing party encountered by the believers in battle and made
to appear few in number.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: The apostle
description: The figure to whom part of the spoils belongs and whom believers are
commanded to obey; in context associated with Mohammed.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: target of conspiracy
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The council considers what to do with Mohammed, including imprisonment, banishment,
and killing.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: opposing group
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:9
basis: The Meccans deliberate against Mohammed, and the Qur'anic section addresses
encounter with infidels or the enemy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:3
label: apostolic leader
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:10
basis: The passage refers to Mohammed in the notes and to obedience to the apostle
in the Qur'anic text.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:8
- id: role:4
label: disguised demonic adviser
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The devil is described as assisting the council in the likeness of an old
man and opposing certain proposals.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:5
label: council adviser
assigned_to:
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
basis: Each named figure gives advice in the council about what to do with Mohammed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:6
label: divine patron and arranger of events
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: God is called patron and helper and is said to bring about the decreed encounter
and govern perceptions of the enemy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:7
label: believing combatants
assigned_to:
- fig:8
- fig:2
basis: The Qur'anic section addresses true believers in relation to spoils, the
battle, and instruction during encounter with an opposing party; the Koreish are
separately described in notes as involved in military expeditions.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: disguise as old man of Najd
literal_form: The devil appearing in the likeness of an old man of Najd.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: Caaba / temple precinct
literal_form: The Caaba or temple around which people go and from which some are
kept away.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- world_center
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: spoils and fifth share
literal_form: A fifth part of spoils assigned to God, the apostle, his kindred,
orphans, the poor, and the traveller.
associated_figures:
- fig:7
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:4
label: valley, caravan, and opposing encampments
literal_form: The believers on the hithermost side of the valley, the enemy on the
farther side, and the caravan below.
associated_figures:
- fig:8
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:5
label: sleep-vision of few enemies
literal_form: The enemy appearing few in number in Mohammed's sleep.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:6
label: diminished numbers at meeting
literal_form: The enemy appearing few to the believers and the believers' numbers
diminished in the enemy's eyes.
associated_figures:
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Meccan council against Mohammed
summary: The Meccans consult about what to do with Mohammed; proposals include imprisonment
and banishment, while Abu Jahl's proposal to kill him is approved, with the devil
participating in disguise.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Revealed conspiracy and escape
summary: The note states that Mohammed's conspiracy was revealed to him, that he
was miraculously assisted in deceiving the conspirators and escaping, and that
events led toward Bedr.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Caaba conduct and exclusion
summary: The notes describe the Koreish's relation to the Caaba and mention naked
circumambulation, whistling, clapping, and disturbance of Mohammed's prayers.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Military support and provisions
summary: Certain Koreish or caravan owners are described as giving camels, goods,
or hired auxiliaries to support military expeditions.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Spoils and day of distinction
summary: The Qur'anic text identifies God as patron and helper and assigns a fifth
of spoils to sacred and social recipients on the day when the two armies met.
figure_refs:
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:6
label: Battle arranged in the valley
summary: The two armies are described as positioned on opposite sides of a valley
with a caravan below; the engagement occurs without prior appointment so that
God's decree is fulfilled.
figure_refs:
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:7
label: Divinely governed perception and exhortation
summary: God causes the enemy to appear few in sleep and at the meeting, diminishes
the believers' numbers in the enemy's eyes, and believers are exhorted to stand
firm, remember God, obey, and persevere.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: demonic disguise in hostile counsel
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
basis: The devil is said to appear in the likeness of an old man of Najd and participate
in the council against Mohammed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage reports this in a note attributed to commentators; it gives
no extended transformation narrative beyond the assumed likeness.
- id: motif:2
label: revealed conspiracy and miraculous escape
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: A note states that the conspiracy was revealed to Mohammed and that he was
miraculously assisted to deceive the conspirators and escape.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The mechanism of revelation and miracle is not described in detail in
this line range.
- id: motif:3
label: sacred share of battle spoils
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: The text assigns a fifth part of spoils to God, the apostle, kin, orphans,
the poor, and the traveller.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage states a legal-sacred distribution rather than narrating an
exchange episode.
- id: motif:4
label: providential battle through altered perception
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The battle occurs so that God may accomplish what was decreed; God causes
the enemy to appear few and diminishes numbers in the eyes of the opposing side.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The passage emphasizes divine decree and assistance; classification as
judgment is inferential but supported by the language of perishing or living after
evidence.
- id: motif:5
label: sacred precinct and improper ritual conduct
taxonomy_refs:
- world_center
basis: The notes describe the Caaba or temple as a guarded sacred place and mention
naked circumambulation, whistling, and clapping around it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The line range treats the Caaba as a temple precinct but does not explicitly
develop a cosmic-center symbolism.
- id: motif:6
label: steadfast remembrance before battle
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Believers are instructed to stand firm, remember God frequently, obey God
and the apostle, and persevere when meeting the opposing party.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: This is an exhortative pattern rather than a full narrative motif.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 17405-17417
quote_or_summary: After hearing of Mohammed's league with Medina, the Meccans hold
a council; the devil appears in the likeness of an old man of Najd; proposals
to imprison, banish, or kill Mohammed are discussed, and Abu Jahl's proposal to
kill him is approved.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 17418-17420
quote_or_summary: A note says the conspiracy was revealed to Mohammed, that he was
miraculously assisted to deceive the conspirators and escape, and that events
later drew them to the battle of Bedr.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 17428-17436
quote_or_summary: Notes discuss exclusion from Mecca and the temple, the Koreish's
guardianship of the Caaba, and reports of naked circumambulation with whistling
and clapping, including as disturbance during Mohammed's prayers.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 17437-17443
quote_or_summary: The notes identify Koreish figures or caravan owners who supplied
camels, goods, or hired auxiliaries for expeditions such as Bedr and Ohod.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 17451-17456
quote_or_summary: The Qur'anic text says God is the best patron and helper and that
a fifth of spoils belongs to God, the apostle, kin, orphans, the poor, and the
traveller on the day the two armies met.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 17457-17464
quote_or_summary: The believers and their opponents are described on opposite sides
of a valley with a caravan below; the battle occurs without prior appointment
so that God may accomplish the decreed matter.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 17465-17470
quote_or_summary: God causes the enemy to appear few in Mohammed's sleep; if they
had appeared numerous, the believers would have been disheartened and disputed,
but God preserved them.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 17471-17478
quote_or_summary: God causes the enemy to appear few to the believers and diminishes
the believers' numbers in the enemy's eyes; believers are told to stand firm,
remember God, obey God and the apostle, avoid dissension, and persevere.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized rather than quoted.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is strongly supported by the supplied passage. Motif labels
are cautious and based only on available taxonomy references; no independent comparison
claims were made.
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 comparison claims added because the passage itself does not explicitly compare these events with other traditions or motif families beyond the extraction's taxonomy mapping.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg__l17405-l17478
passage_sha256=fac25c947d315dd1b0aaacb98b6b0a151995ede9e2d8d57f4573f008f0a2fe99