batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l17547-l17622
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l17547-l17622
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 17547-17622
start: '17547'
end: '17622'
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 combines explanatory notes on the Meccan/Koreish expedition
to Bedr, including reports of satanic instigation and angelic aid, with Qur'anic
instructions on treaty violation, military preparation, peace, divine support,
perseverance in battle, captives, and the contrast between worldly gain and the
life to come.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The Meccans marched to assist a caravan, received a message from Abu Sofin
that danger had passed, but Abu Jahl swore they would continue to Bedr for public
feasting and entertainment; the expedition is described as fatal for several Koreish
leaders, including Abu Jahl.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: A commentary reports that the devil appeared in the likeness of Sorka Ebn
Malec, promised the Koreish safety from the tribe of Kenna, and accompanied them.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: The same commentary reports that when the devil saw angels descending to aid
the Moslems, he withdrew and declared himself clear of the Koreish because he
saw what they did not see.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: A commentary states that angels at Bedr slew infidels and fought with iron
maces that emitted flames at every stroke.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: The passage commands action against those who enter a league and repeatedly
violate it, including making them an example and repudiating the league if treachery
is apprehended.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: The passage commands preparation of military force and horse troops to strike
terror into the enemies of God and the believers, and says expenditures in defense
of God's religion will be repaid without injustice.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: The passage instructs the prophet to incline toward peace if the opponents
incline toward peace, and says that if they seek deceit God will support him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: The passage says God strengthened the prophet with divine help and the faithful,
and united their hearts beyond what earthly riches could have accomplished.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: The passage instructs the prophet to stir up the faithful to war and gives
numerical ratios in which steadfast believers overcome larger numbers of unbelievers
by God's permission.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:10
text: The passage says prophets should not possess captives until great slaughter
has been made among infidels, contrasting worldly goods with the life to come.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Meccans / Koreish
description: A group marching toward Bedr to assist the caravan; later associated
with unbelievers or infidels in the battle context.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Abu Sofin
description: Sender of a message telling the Meccans that he considered himself
out of danger and that they could return home.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Abu Jahl
description: A Koreish leader who swore the group would continue to Bedr and is
said to have lost his life in the expedition.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Devil in the likeness of Sorka Ebn Malec
description: A figure said by commentators to appear as Sorka Ebn Malec, promise
the Koreish safety, accompany them, then retreat on seeing angels.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Sorka Ebn Malec
description: A principal person of the tribe of Kenna whose likeness the devil is
said to have assumed; later he denied knowledge of the march until after the rout.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Angels
description: Celestial helpers said to descend to aid the Moslems and, according
to commentary, to fight with flaming iron maces.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Moslems / faithful / true believers
description: The group aided by angels and commanded to persevere, prepare for war,
and follow the prophet.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: God
description: The divine speaker or authority who is said to know enemies, repay
expenditures, support the prophet, unite hearts, and be with those who persevere.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Prophet
description: The addressed leader instructed on war, peace, treaty response, and
stirring the faithful.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Treaty violators / treacherous people
description: People described as entering a league and then violating it, or as
possible sources of treachery.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
roles:
- id: role:1
label: marching war party
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: They march to assist the caravan and continue toward Bedr.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: messenger-sender reporting safety
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: He sends word that he is out of danger and the Meccans may return.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: boastful expedition instigator
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: He swears the group will not return until they have gone to Bedr for revelry.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: deceptive tempter and deserter
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: He appears in another's likeness, promises safety, accompanies the Koreish,
and then retreats when celestial aid appears.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: human likeness used in deception
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The devil is said to appear in Sorka's likeness; Sorka later denies involvement.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:6
label: defeated opponents
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The Koreish are routed, and several principal members die.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: role:7
label: celestial battle helpers
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: They descend to assist the Moslems and are said to fight the infidels at
Bedr.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:8
label: faithful warriors
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: They are urged to prepare force, persevere, and overcome larger numbers by
God's permission.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:9
- id: role:9
label: divine supporter and judge
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: God is described as supporting the prophet, knowing hidden enemies, repaying
expenditures, and being mighty and wise.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:10
- id: role:10
label: prophetic military and treaty leader
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The prophet is instructed about league violators, peace, deceit, and stirring
the faithful to war.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: role:11
label: covenant violators
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: They enter a league and violate it or are suspected of treachery.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: league
literal_form: A treaty or league entered into and then violated or formally thrown
back.
associated_figures:
- fig:9
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:2
label: flaming maces
literal_form: Iron maces that shoot forth flames of fire at every stroke.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:3
label: troops of horse
literal_form: Horse troops prepared as part of military force to terrify enemies.
associated_figures:
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:4
label: united hearts
literal_form: The hearts of the faithful are said to have been united by God.
associated_figures:
- fig:7
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:5
label: life to come
literal_form: The afterlife contrasted with accidental goods of this world.
associated_figures:
- fig:8
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Boastful continuation to Bedr
summary: The Meccans receive a message that the caravan danger is over, but Abu
Jahl insists on continuing to Bedr for public celebration, and the expedition
proves fatal to leading Koreish figures.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Devil's disguise and retreat
summary: Commentary reports that the devil, appearing as Sorka Ebn Malec, reassures
the Koreish and accompanies them, but withdraws when he sees angels descending
to assist the Moslems.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Angelic combat at Bedr
summary: Commentary describes angels fighting infidels at Bedr with iron maces that
emit fire.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Rules for treachery and treaties
summary: The prophet is instructed to respond to repeated league-breaking by making
violators an example, and to repudiate a league when treachery is feared.
figure_refs:
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Preparation, peace, and divine support
summary: The faithful are told to prepare force and horse troops, accept peace if
offered, and trust God as supporter if deceit is attempted.
figure_refs:
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:6
label: Perseverance in battle and captives
summary: The prophet is told to urge the faithful to war, with steadfast believers
overcoming larger numbers by God's permission, and the passage contrasts captives
and worldly goods with the life to come.
figure_refs:
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Covenant violation and formal repudiation
taxonomy_refs:
- covenant
basis: The passage centers on people entering a league, violating it repeatedly,
and the prophet being instructed to cast the league back if treachery is feared.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The passage is legal and exhortative rather than narrative myth; the taxonomy
fit is thematic.
- id: motif:2
label: Divine support and judgment in battle
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: God is said to support the prophet, know hidden enemies, be with the persevering,
and ensure that unbelievers do not escape divine vengeance; commentary adds angels
fighting at Bedr.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: Some details, especially angelic weaponry, come from commentary rather
than the translated Qur'anic verses themselves.
- id: motif:3
label: Deceptive supernatural instigator abandoning followers
taxonomy_refs:
- trickster_boundary
basis: Commentary reports the devil appearing in human likeness to encourage the
Koreish, then abandoning them after seeing angelic aid.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage notes that some understand the devil's role figuratively while
others take it literally.
- id: motif:4
label: Sacred repayment for religious expenditure
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: The passage says whatever is spent in defense of God's religion will be repaid
and the spenders will not be treated unjustly.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The motif is expressed as religious exhortation, not as a developed exchange
narrative.
- id: motif:5
label: Postmortem examination hinted by violent angelic action
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
- afterlife_journey_map
basis: A commentary says some imagine the words hint at examination of the sepulchre
after death, believed to be terrible for unbelievers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: low
cautions: This is explicitly presented as an interpretation by some commentators,
not as the main reading in the passage.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 17547-17555
quote_or_summary: The Meccans march to aid a caravan; Abu Sofin sends word that
danger has passed; Abu Jahl swears they will continue to Bedr for wine, entertainment,
and display; the expedition proves fatal for leading Koreish including Abu Jahl.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source metadata; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 17558-17566
quote_or_summary: Commentary says some read the devil's role figuratively, while
others say the devil appeared as Sorka Ebn Malec, promised the Koreish safety
from Kenna, and went with them.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source metadata; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 17566-17575
quote_or_summary: When battle neared, the devil saw angels descending to help the
Moslems, withdrew, and said he was clear of the Koreish because he saw what they
did not; Sorka later denied involvement.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source metadata; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 17578-17584
quote_or_summary: The passage is generally understood by commentators of angels
at Bedr slaying infidels with iron maces emitting flames; some also connect it
with examination in the sepulchre after death.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source metadata; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 17591-17596
quote_or_summary: Those who make and repeatedly violate a league are to be made
an example if taken in war; if treachery is feared, their league is to be thrown
back, because God does not love the treacherous.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source metadata; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 17597-17603
quote_or_summary: The passage says unbelievers have not escaped divine vengeance;
believers are to prepare force and horse troops to terrify enemies, and expenditures
in defense of God's religion will be repaid.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source metadata; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 17604-17607
quote_or_summary: If opponents incline to peace, the prophet should also incline
to peace and trust God; if they intend deceit, God will support him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source metadata; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 17607-17612
quote_or_summary: God strengthened the prophet with divine help and with the faithful,
and united their hearts in a way earthly riches could not have done.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source metadata; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 17613-17620
quote_or_summary: The prophet is told to stir the faithful to war; steadfast believers
are described as able to overcome larger numbers of unbelievers by God's permission,
and God is with those who persevere.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source metadata; summarized rather than quoted.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 17620-17622
quote_or_summary: The passage states that prophets should not possess captives until
great slaughter among infidels has occurred, contrasting worldly goods with the
life to come.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source metadata; summarized rather than quoted.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Extraction is based on the supplied passage and notes. Motif labels are cautious
because much of the material is legal, exhortative, or commentarial rather than
mythic narrative. No comparison claims were made because the passage does not
itself support a specific external 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: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
Used only supplied passage text and available taxonomy references. Commentary-derived elements are identified as such in bases and cautions.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg__l17547-l17622
passage_sha256=5457d240e868e0223111198fc990c3c2502ab2fbff1096116eb0a9835ddb7a2f