batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l20997-l21074
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l20997-l21074
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
passage_locator:
label: CHAPTER XII. / IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. / CHAPTER XIII. / IN
THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.; lines 20997-21074
start: '20997'
end: '21074'
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: He causeth water to descend from heaven... Thus GOD setteth forth truth and
vanity.
summary: The passage includes commentary on thunder and punitive thunderbolts, then
presents a parable in which rainwater, floods, froth, melted metals, and scum
distinguish what is vain from what is useful. It contrasts those who obey God,
keep the covenant, pray, give alms, and turn away evil with good, with those who
violate the covenant and act corruptly. The obedient are promised paradise, entry
with upright kin, angelic greetings at every gate, secure hearts in remembrance
of God, and a happy resurrection; violators face curse, terrible account, hell,
and a miserable dwelling.
language: English
quote_policy: quoted
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The commentary says thunder and lightning are signs of approaching rain and
notes a report in which thunder kills attackers or opponents of Mohammed.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Water descends from heaven, brooks flow by measure, and floods carry floating
froth.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Metals are melted in fire to cast ornaments or useful vessels, and a similar
scum rises from them.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The passage states that God uses the image of scum being thrown off and useful
matter remaining as a parable for truth and vanity.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Those who obey their Lord receive an excellent reward, while those who do
not obey face a terrible account and hell.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: The prudent are described as those who consider, fulfill God's covenant, do
not break their contract, fear their Lord, and dread an ill account.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: The righteous are described as persevering, praying at stated times, giving
alms secretly and openly, and turning away evil with good.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: The reward of the righteous is paradise, described as gardens of eternal abode
entered with upright fathers, wives, and posterity.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Angels enter by every gate and greet the righteous with peace because they
endured patiently.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: Those who violate the covenant, cut apart what God commanded to be joined,
and act corruptly receive a curse and a miserable dwelling in hell.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: The passage says God gives provision abundantly or sparingly as he pleases,
leads into error whom he pleases, and directs to himself those who repent.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:12
text: Believers whose hearts rest in the meditation of God are promised blessedness
and a happy resurrection.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: God / Lord
description: The divine actor who sends water, sets forth parables, rewards obedience,
judges disobedience, gives provision, leads into error, and directs the repentant.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:8
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Those who obey their Lord / righteous believers
description: People who fulfill the covenant, pray, give alms, turn away evil with
good, endure patiently, and receive paradise.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Those who obey not / covenant violators
description: People who do not obey, violate God's covenant, cut apart what God
commanded to be joined, act corruptly, and receive hell or curse.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Angels
description: Beings who enter by every gate of paradise and say peace to the patient
righteous.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Infidels
description: People who demand a sign from the Lord before believing.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Mohammed
description: In the commentary note, he is the prophet whom Amer and Arbad intended
to kill and who implored God's protection.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Amer Ebn al Tofail and Arbad Ebn Rabah
description: In the commentary note, they approach Mohammed with intent to kill
him; Arbad is struck dead by thunder, and Amer later dies of a pestilential boil.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
roles:
- id: role:1
label: divine sender of rain
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God causes water to descend from heaven.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: parable-giver
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage states that God sets forth truth and vanity through the parable
of froth, scum, and useful remainder.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: judge and dispenser
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God rewards, brings disobedient people to account, gives provision, and guides
or misleads according to the passage.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:8
- id: role:4
label: covenant keepers
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: They fulfill God's covenant and do not break their contract.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:5
label: recipients of paradise
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Their reward is paradise and angels greet them there.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:6
label: covenant violators under judgment
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: They violate the covenant, act corruptly, and receive curse, hell, or a terrible
account.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- id: role:7
label: paradise greeters
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Angels enter by every gate and pronounce peace upon the patient.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: demanders of a sign
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: They say they will not believe unless a sign is sent down.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:9
label: protected prophet in commentary
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The commentary says Mohammed perceived the plot and implored God's protection.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:10
label: would-be attackers punished in commentary
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The commentary says they intended to kill Mohammed and then suffered deadly
punishment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: water from heaven
literal_form: Rainwater descending from heaven, filling brooks and floods by measure.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: floating froth
literal_form: Froth borne by floods.
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: fire for melting metals
literal_form: Fire used to melt metals for ornaments or vessels.
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:4
label: metal scum
literal_form: Scum rising from melted metals, compared to floating froth.
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:5
label: useful remainder
literal_form: That which is useful to mankind remains on earth after scum is thrown
off.
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:6
label: covenant of God
literal_form: A covenant and contract that may be fulfilled or violated.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- id: sym:7
label: gardens of eternal abode
literal_form: Paradise described as gardens entered by the righteous and their upright
kin.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: sym:8
label: gates of paradise
literal_form: Every gate through which angels enter to greet the righteous.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:9
label: hell dwelling
literal_form: Hell described as an unhappy couch and miserable dwelling.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- id: sym:10
label: thunderbolt punishment in commentary
literal_form: Thunder or thunderbolt striking and killing figures in explanatory
reports.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Commentarial thunder punishments
summary: The commentary associates thunder and lightning with rain and recounts
reports in which opponents or would-be attackers are killed by thunder or a thunderbolt.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Parable of water, froth, fire, and scum
summary: God sends rain; streams and floods carry froth; metals melted in fire produce
scum; the scum is discarded while useful matter remains, illustrating truth and
vanity.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Reward and account
summary: Those who obey receive an excellent reward, while those who disobey would
ransom themselves with all the earth but face a terrible account and hell.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Covenant keepers and their practices
summary: The prudent fulfill God's covenant, maintain what God commanded to be joined,
fear their Lord, persevere, pray, give alms, and turn away evil with good.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Paradise and angelic greeting
summary: The righteous enter gardens of eternal abode with upright family members,
and angels greet them by every gate with peace because of their patience.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Covenant violation and curse
summary: Those who violate God's covenant, sever what God commanded to be joined,
and act corruptly receive a curse and a miserable dwelling in hell.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:7
label: Demand for a sign, guidance, and resurrection
summary: Infidels demand a sign; the answer says God misleads whom he pleases and
guides the repentant, while believers who remember God receive blessedness and
happy resurrection.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:5
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Divine parable separating truth from vanity
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The parable contrasts discarded froth or scum with what remains useful, explicitly
as a lesson about truth and vanity.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy label 'wisdom' is broad; the passage itself frames the image
as a parable rather than using a named motif family.
- id: motif:2
label: Covenant kept and covenant broken
taxonomy_refs:
- covenant
basis: The passage contrasts those who fulfill God's covenant and do not break their
contract with those who violate the covenant after its establishment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: ''
- id: motif:3
label: Divine judgment of obedience and disobedience
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The obedient receive reward and paradise; the disobedient face a terrible
account, curse, and hell.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: ''
- id: motif:4
label: Paradise reward with angelic welcome
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The righteous enter gardens of eternal abode, and angels greet them with
peace because they endured patiently.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: Mapped to divine judgment because paradise appears as the outcome of righteous
conduct; no narrower taxonomy item for paradise is provided.
- id: motif:5
label: Happy resurrection for believers
taxonomy_refs:
- resurrection
basis: Believers who do right are promised blessedness and a happy resurrection.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: ''
- id: motif:6
label: Punitive thunderbolt in commentary
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The commentary recounts opponents or would-be killers of Mohammed being struck
dead by thunder or thunderbolt after challenging or plotting against him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: This material is from explanatory commentary in the passage, not the main
translated Qur'anic verses in the excerpt.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 20997-21033
quote_or_summary: Commentary explains thunder and lightning as signs of rain, describes
thunder as possibly an angel driving clouds with sheets of fire, and recounts
stories of Mohammed's opponents or would-be attackers being killed by thunder
or thunderbolt.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: quote
locator: lines 21035-21041
quote_or_summary: "“He causeth water to descend from heaven... the floods bear the
floating froth... from the metals which they melt in the fire... there ariseth
a scum like unto it. Thus GOD setteth forth truth and vanity.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt quoted.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 21041-21046
quote_or_summary: The scum is thrown off and what is useful remains; those who obey
receive an excellent reward, while the disobedient face a terrible account and
hell.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 21047-21052
quote_or_summary: The one who knows the revelation is truth is contrasted with the
blind; the prudent fulfill God's covenant, do not break their contract, join what
God commanded to be joined, fear their Lord, and dread an ill account.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 21053-21059
quote_or_summary: Those who persevere, pray, give alms secretly and openly, and
turn away evil with good are rewarded with paradise, gardens of eternal abode,
entered with upright fathers, wives, and posterity.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: quote
locator: lines 21059-21061
quote_or_summary: "“the angels shall go in unto them by every gate, saying, Peace
be upon you, because ye have endured with patience”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt quoted.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 21062-21065
quote_or_summary: Those who violate God's covenant, cut apart what God commanded
to be joined, and act corruptly in the earth receive a curse and a miserable dwelling
in hell.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 21066-21074
quote_or_summary: God gives provision abundantly or sparingly; infidels demand a
sign; God leads into error whom he pleases and guides repentant believers, whose
hearts rest in the meditation of God and who receive blessedness and a happy resurrection.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Motif labels are limited
to the provided taxonomy and broad where no narrower category exists. Commentary
material is treated separately from the translated Qur'anic passage.
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 were added because the passage does not itself make an explicit comparative claim to another tradition or corpus.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg__l20997-l21074
passage_sha256=2ce46c01977cbf06b1ddfd7abb90be2f63d50f89ccc064a59229809c1c728407