batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l22368-l22427
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l22368-l22427
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
passage_locator:
label: CHAPTER XV. / IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. / CHAPTER XVI. / IN THE
NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.; lines 22368-22427
start: '22368'
end: '22427'
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: Commentary discusses allegations that a foreign or Christian-associated
person helped Mohammed compose the Koran, then turns to cases of forced recantation,
inward faith, pardon, and martyrdom under torture, including Ammar, his parents
Yaser and Sommeya, Khobaib Ebn Ada, and a follower killed by Moseilama.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The commentator says that if Boheira and Sergius were the same person, Mohammedan
writers give no indication that he left his monastery to go into Arabia, and his
meeting with Mohammed at Bosra was too early to support the claim that he assisted
in the Koran.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The answer to the objection of the infidels is described as relying on the
suspected helper's foreign language, which is said to make assistance in an elegant
Arabic composition improbable.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Ammar Ebn Yaser and others are said to have renounced their faith under torture
by the Koreish, although their hearts did not agree with their mouths.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: Yaser and Sommeya are described as refusing to recant under the same trial
and being put to death.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Mohammed is said to have rejected the report that Ammar had truly denied the
faith, describing him as full of faith, and later wiped Ammar's eyes when he came
weeping.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: The passage states that apparent apostasy to avoid death or torture may hope
for pardon from God, while also stating that it is considered more meritorious
to persist in the true faith and suffer death rather than renounce it even in
words.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: Khobaib Ebn Ada is described as being killed cruelly by the Koreish, and while
tortured he says he would not wish Mohammed to be pricked by a thorn in exchange
for his own safety with family and possessions.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: Moseilama questions two followers of Mohammed; one affirms both Mohammed and
Moseilama as apostles and is released, while the other affirms Mohammed but refuses
to answer about Moseilama and is slain.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: Mohammed is reported to have said that the released captive threw himself
on God's mercy, while the slain captive professed the truth and would find his
account in it.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Boheira / Sergius / Sad or Felix
description: A monk or Christian-associated figure whose identity and possible connection
with Mohammed are discussed in relation to allegations about the Koran's composition.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Mohammed
description: Named as meeting Boheira at Bosra, as the prophet to whom Ammar comes
weeping, and as the person whose followers are tested or killed.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Suspected foreign helper
description: A non-Arabian person suspected by opponents of having a hand in the
Koran but described as speaking a foreign language.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Ammar Ebn Yaser
description: A follower tortured by the Koreish who renounces outwardly from fear
while being described as inwardly full of faith.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Koreish
description: Group described as torturing Ammar and others and killing Khobaib.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Yaser
description: Ammar's father, said to have refused to recant and been put to death.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Sommeya
description: Ammar's mother, said to have refused to recant and been put to death
cruelly.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: God
description: Divine figure from whom pardon may be hoped for and on whose mercy
the released captive is said to have thrown himself.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:9
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Khobaib Ebn Ada
description: A follower sold to the Koreish and killed by mutilation, who refuses
to wish even slight harm to Mohammed.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Moseilama
description: Called a false prophet, he questions two followers of Mohammed and
kills the one who refuses to acknowledge him.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: First captive follower of Mohammed
description: A captive who answers that both Mohammed and Moseilama are apostles
of God and is dismissed safely.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Second captive follower of Mohammed
description: A captive who affirms Mohammed as apostle of God, refuses to answer
about Moseilama, and is slain.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
roles:
- id: role:1
label: suspected religious instructor or source
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:3
basis: The passage discusses claims that a Christian-associated or foreign-language
person may have helped Mohammed with the Koran, while also questioning those claims.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: prophet or apostle
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Mohammed is called the prophet, and his followers answer that he is the apostle
of God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: role:3
label: coerced outward recanter
assigned_to:
- fig:4
- fig:11
basis: Ammar outwardly renounces under torture though inwardly faithful; the first
captive gives the answer demanded by Moseilama and is released.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:4
label: persecutor or executioner
assigned_to:
- fig:5
- fig:10
basis: The Koreish torture or kill believers, and Moseilama kills the captive who
refuses to answer him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: martyr or steadfast sufferer
assigned_to:
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:9
- fig:12
basis: These figures refuse recantation or refuse disloyal speech and are put to
death under trial.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:6
label: divine judge and source of pardon
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The passage says apparent apostates may hope for pardon from God and that
one captive threw himself on God's mercy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:9
- id: role:7
label: object of loyal devotion
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:9
basis: Khobaib refuses to wish even slight injury to Mohammed despite his own torture.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:8
label: false prophet claimant
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Moseilama is explicitly called a false prophet and asks a captive what he
says of him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: foreign tongue versus Arabic eloquence
literal_form: foreign language contrasted with Arabic composition
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: heart and mouth divided
literal_form: hearts not agreeing with mouths
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: faith embodied in flesh and blood
literal_form: faith from crown of head to sole of foot, mixed with flesh and blood
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:4
label: thorn as smallest injury
literal_form: Mohammed being pricked with a thorn
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Disputed teacher of the Koran
summary: The commentary discusses whether Boheira, Sergius, Sad, or Felix could
have been connected to Mohammed and rejects or limits the claim that he assisted
with the Koran.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Foreign-language objection answered
summary: Opponents' suspicion that a person helped with the Koran is answered by
noting that the suspected person spoke a foreign language, while the composition
is Arabic.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Ammar's coerced denial and inward faith
summary: Ammar and others are tortured by the Koreish and outwardly renounce from
fear, while Mohammed says Ammar remains full of faith and consoles him.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Yaser and Sommeya refuse recantation
summary: Ammar's parents endure the same trial, refuse to recant, and are killed.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Doctrine of pardon and higher merit
summary: The passage states that outward apostasy under compulsion may receive pardon
from God, while steadfast refusal to renounce the faith even unto death is more
meritorious.
figure_refs:
- fig:8
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Khobaib's loyal martyrdom
summary: Khobaib is tortured and killed by the Koreish and refuses to wish even
a thorn-prick on Mohammed in exchange for his own safety.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:5
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:7
label: Moseilama tests two captives
summary: Moseilama questions two followers of Mohammed; one gives a compliant answer
and is released, while the other refuses to acknowledge Moseilama and is killed;
Mohammed comments on both outcomes.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:8
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: accusation of foreign source for revelation
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage discusses claims that a foreign or Christian-associated person
assisted Mohammed with the Koran and counters the claim by reference to language
and chronology.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
confidence: medium
cautions: This is a polemical and historical-commentarial motif rather than a mythic
narrative pattern in the provided taxonomy.
- id: motif:2
label: inner faith preserved under coerced denial
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Ammar's outward renunciation is distinguished from the state of his heart,
and Mohammed says compulsion removes fault; the passage also says God may pardon
apparent apostasy under duress.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: 'The taxonomy reference is functional: judgment depends on inward faith
rather than outward speech. The passage does not narrate an afterlife judgment
scene.'
- id: motif:3
label: martyr refuses recantation under torture
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
basis: Yaser, Sommeya, Khobaib, and the second captive are presented as steadfast
under trial and killed rather than renouncing or making a disloyal confession.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The motif is martyrdom and steadfast confession; the sacrifice taxonomy
is approximate because the passage emphasizes suffering and death for faith rather
than a ritual sacrifice.
- id: motif:4
label: loyal refusal to exchange prophet's harm for personal safety
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Khobaib refuses to accept safety with family and possessions on condition
that Mohammed suffer even a thorn-prick.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The exchange is rhetorical within a martyrdom account, not a formal sacred
bargain.
- id: motif:5
label: false prophet tests true confession
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Moseilama demands recognition from captives; one compliant captive is spared,
while the other refuses and is killed, after which Mohammed contrasts mercy with
professing the truth.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage calls Moseilama a false prophet and presents a trial of speech,
but gives only brief narrative details.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 22368-22377
quote_or_summary: The commentary discusses Boheira's possible names, says Mohammedan
writers do not indicate that he left his monastery for Arabia, and says his Bosra
acquaintance with Mohammed was too early to support the claim that he helped with
the Koran.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 22378-22388
quote_or_summary: The answer to opponents' objection is that the suspected helper
spoke a foreign language, making assistance in an elegant Arabic composition improbable;
the word Ajami is discussed as foreign or barbarous language, sometimes Persian.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 22389-22393
quote_or_summary: Ammar Ebn Yaser and others are said to have been taken and tortured
by the Koreish and to have renounced their faith from fear, though their hearts
did not agree with their mouths.
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 22393-22398
quote_or_summary: Yaser and Sommeya, Ammar's parents, are said to have refused to
recant under the same trial and to have been put to death, with Sommeya described
as killed cruelly.
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 22398-22404
quote_or_summary: When told Ammar denied the faith, Mohammed says Ammar is full
of faith from head to foot, faith being mixed with his flesh and blood; when Ammar
comes weeping, Mohammed wipes his eyes and says compulsion was not his fault.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 22405-22412
quote_or_summary: The passage says those who apostatize only in appearance to avoid
death or torment may hope for pardon from God, but that doctors agree it is more
meritorious to persist in the true faith and suffer death rather than renounce
it even in words.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 22412-22419
quote_or_summary: Khobaib Ebn Ada is described as sold to the Koreish and killed
by mutilation; under torture he refuses to wish Mohammed in his place and says
he would not accept safety if Mohammed were only pricked with a thorn.
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 22419-22425
quote_or_summary: Moseilama captures two of Mohammed's followers; one affirms Mohammed
and Moseilama as apostles and is released, while the other affirms Mohammed but
refuses to answer about Moseilama three times and is slain.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 22425-22427
quote_or_summary: Mohammed is reported to say that the first captive threw himself
on God's mercy, while the latter professed the truth and would find his account
in it.
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 entirely on the supplied commentary passage. Motif taxonomy
links are cautious because the passage is historical-commentarial and martyrological
rather than a mythic narrative in a strict sense.
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 itself does not explicitly compare these narratives to another tradition or motif family beyond internal examples of martyrdom and forced recantation.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg__l22368-l22427
passage_sha256=43f8daebcb301b540411479532767ce02ddf24286749bc63229ebbf850be3895