batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l22673-l22767
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l22673-l22767
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
passage_locator:
label: CHAPTER XVI. / IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. / CHAPTER XVII. / IN
THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.; lines 22673-22767
start: '22673'
end: '22767'
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: But whosoever chooseth the life to come... the endeavor of these shall be
acceptable unto God.
summary: The passage contrasts those who seek the life to come with worldly degrees
of wealth and dignity; commands exclusive worship of God; instructs kindness to
parents, kin, the poor, and travelers; warns against prodigality, miserliness,
child killing, fornication, and unjust killing; and includes translator notes
on omens, Adam, Mohammed, charity, moderation, and legal retaliation.
language: English
quote_policy: quoted
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Those who choose the life to come, strive toward it, and are true believers
have their endeavor accepted by God.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The Lord gives blessings of this life to different groups, and some are made
to surpass others in wealth and dignity.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: The next life is described as greater in degrees of honor and excellence.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The passage commands that no other god be set up with the true God.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The passage commands kindness and respectful speech toward parents, especially
when they reach old age with the addressee.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: The passage instructs the addressee to pray that the Lord have mercy on both
parents, as they nursed the addressee when little.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: The passage says God knows what is in people’s souls and is gracious to those
who sincerely return to him.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:8
text: The passage commands giving what is due to kin, the poor, and the traveler,
and forbids wasting substance profusely.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:9
text: The profuse are called brethren of the devils, and the devil is described
as ungrateful to his Lord.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:10
text: The passage uses the image of a hand tied to the neck and a hand opened without
bound to warn against miserliness and excessive spending.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:11
text: The passage says the Lord enlarges or restricts provision for whom he pleases
and knows his servants.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:12
text: The passage forbids killing children for fear of want and states that God
will provide for them and for the addressees.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:13
text: The passage forbids approaching fornication and describes it as wickedness
and an evil way.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:14
text: The passage forbids killing a soul God has forbidden to be killed, except
for a just cause.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: obs:15
text: When someone is slain unjustly, the heir is given power to demand satisfaction,
but is told not to exceed moderation in revenge.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: obs:16
text: A translator note explains the literal word “bird” as signifying a person’s
fortune or success, linked to omens from birds’ flight.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: obs:17
text: A translator note reports a story in which Adam tries to rise while part of
his body is still clay and falls.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- id: obs:18
text: A translator note reports a story in which Sawda bint Zama unbinds a captive,
Mohammed curses in anger, then asks God to turn his curse into a blessing.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:17
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: God / the Lord
description: The divine figure who accepts endeavor, gives blessings, commands worship,
knows souls, grants mercy, provides, and regulates life and death.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:13
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: True believer choosing the life to come
description: A person who chooses the next life, directs endeavor toward it, and
is a true believer.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Parents
description: Parents who may reach old age with the addressee and who nursed the
addressee when little.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Kin, poor, and traveler
description: Recipients named as due charity or assistance.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Devils / the devil
description: The profuse are called brethren of the devils; the devil is described
as ungrateful to his Lord.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Children
description: Children whom the addressees are forbidden to kill for fear of want.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Unjustly slain person
description: A person slain unjustly, whose heir is given power to demand satisfaction.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Heir of the slain
description: The heir or next of kin who may demand satisfaction for an unjust killing
but must not exceed moderation.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Adam
description: In a translator note, Adam tries to rise before the lower part of his
body is complete and falls.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Mohammed
description: In a translator note, Mohammed curses in anger and then asks God to
turn his curse into a blessing.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:17
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Sawda bint Zama
description: In a translator note, Sawda unbinds a captive after being moved by
his groans.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:17
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Captive
description: In a translator note, a captive groans, is unbound, and escapes.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:17
roles:
- id: role:1
label: divine giver and provider
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God gives blessings in this life, enlarges or restricts provision, and provides
for children and adults.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: role:2
label: divine knower and moral authority
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The Lord knows what is in souls, commands exclusive worship, and forbids
killing except by just cause.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:13
- id: role:3
label: afterlife-oriented believer
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The figure chooses the life to come and strives toward it as a true believer.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: honored elders and nurturers
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Parents are to be treated respectfully and are remembered as having nursed
the addressee when little.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:5
label: recipients of due assistance
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Kin, the poor, and the traveler are named as those to whom one should give
due support.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:6
label: negative model of ingratitude
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The devil is called ungrateful to his Lord, and the profuse are linked to
devils.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:7
label: protected dependents
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Children are not to be killed for fear of want, and God promises provision.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: role:8
label: victim of unjust killing
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The passage describes a person slain unjustly whose death permits a claim
for satisfaction.
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: role:9
label: limited avenger or claimant
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The heir is given power to demand satisfaction but warned not to exceed moderation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: role:10
label: impatient first human in note
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The note says Adam tried to rise before the lower body was complete and fell.
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- id: role:11
label: angry curser who asks reversal into blessing
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The note says Mohammed wished harm in anger, then prayed for his curse to
become a blessing.
evidence_refs:
- ev:17
- id: role:12
label: compassionate releaser
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: Sawda is moved by the captive’s groans, unbinds him, and lets him escape.
evidence_refs:
- ev:17
- id: role:13
label: escaped captive
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: The captive is unbound and escapes in the note.
evidence_refs:
- ev:17
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: bird as fortune omen
literal_form: bird / flight of birds
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: sym:2
label: hand tied to neck
literal_form: hand tied up to the neck
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:3
label: unbounded open hand
literal_form: hand opened with unbounded expansion
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:4
label: lowered wing of humility
literal_form: lower the wing of humility
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:18
- id: sym:5
label: body partly clay
literal_form: lower part of the body still a piece of clay
associated_figures:
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Choice of the next life and divine acceptance
summary: Those who choose the life to come and strive as true believers have their
endeavor accepted by God, while the next life is described as higher in honor
than worldly rank.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Commands of worship and family reverence
summary: The addressees are commanded to worship only God, treat aging parents respectfully,
humble themselves toward them, and pray for divine mercy on them.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:18
- id: scene:3
label: Charity and moderation in spending
summary: The passage commands giving to kin, the poor, and the traveler, forbids
waste, associates prodigality with devils, and warns against both a tied hand
and an unbounded open hand.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: scene:4
label: Protection of life and limits on retaliation
summary: The passage forbids killing children for fear of want, forbids unlawful
killing, and grants the heir of an unjustly slain person power to seek satisfaction
within moderate bounds.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:13
- ev:14
- id: scene:5
label: Translator note on bird omens
summary: A note explains the literal bird as a sign of fortune and connects Arab
bird omens with Greek and Roman practices.
figure_refs: []
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: scene:6
label: Translator note on Adam’s premature rising
summary: A note says Adam tried to rise before the lower part of his clay body was
complete and fell.
figure_refs:
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
- id: scene:7
label: Translator note on captive release and reversed curse
summary: A note says Sawda released a captive, Mohammed cursed in anger, then asked
God to turn his curse into a blessing.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:17
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: afterlife preference over worldly rank
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The passage contrasts worldly wealth and dignity with the greater degrees
of honor in the next life, and says God accepts the endeavor of true believers
seeking it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage emphasizes divine acceptance and afterlife hierarchy, but
does not depict a judgment scene in detail.
- id: motif:2
label: exclusive worship and moral commandment sequence
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: 'The passage presents a series of ethical commands: worship only God, honor
parents, give to kin and needy, avoid waste, avoid sexual wrongdoing, and avoid
unjust killing.'
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:7
- ev:9
- ev:12
- ev:13
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy reference is broad; the passage is legal-ethical instruction
rather than a narrative wisdom tale.
- id: motif:3
label: divine provision against fear-driven child killing
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The passage forbids killing children for fear of want and says God will provide
for both children and addressees.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
confidence: medium
cautions: The motif is primarily ethical prohibition and divine providence; judgment
is implied through sin language rather than narrated punishment.
- id: motif:4
label: moderated retaliation for unjust killing
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The passage permits the heir of an unjustly slain person to demand satisfaction
but limits excessive revenge.
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
confidence: medium
cautions: This is a legal-moral pattern, not a mythic revenge narrative.
- id: motif:5
label: curse transformed into blessing
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: A note reports Mohammed praying that his angry curse be turned into a blessing.
evidence_refs:
- ev:17
confidence: low
cautions: This occurs in a translator’s explanatory note rather than in the main
translated verse.
- id: motif:6
label: omen of fortune from bird flight
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: A note explains that the literal bird signifies fortune or success and describes
omens taken from birds’ flight.
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
confidence: medium
cautions: The note is explanatory and comparative; no taxonomy symbol for bird is
supplied.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The translator explicitly compares Arab bird-flight omens with Greek and
Roman practices of taking omens from birds and beasts.
claim_level: same_function
target: Greek and Roman omen-taking from bird flight and animal passage
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The comparison comes from the translator’s note, not from the Qur'anic
verse itself; it states functional similarity without demonstrating historical
contact.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: quote
locator: lines 22697-22699
quote_or_summary: "“whosoever chooseth the life to come... being also a true believer;
the endeavor of these shall be acceptable unto God.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 22700-22705
quote_or_summary: God bestows blessings in this life, causes some people to surpass
others in wealth and dignity, and the next life is greater in degrees of honor
and excellence.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: quote
locator: lines 22706-22707
quote_or_summary: "“Set not up another god with the true GOD” and worship none besides
him."
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 22708-22711
quote_or_summary: The Lord commands kindness to parents in old age and forbids contemptuous
or reproachful speech to them.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: quote
locator: lines 22712-22714
quote_or_summary: "“O LORD, have mercy on them both, as they nursed me when I was
little.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 22715-22717
quote_or_summary: The Lord knows what is in souls and is gracious to those who sincerely
return to him.
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 22718-22720
quote_or_summary: The passage commands giving due support to kin, the poor, and
the traveler, and not wasting substance profusely.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: quote
locator: lines 22721-22722
quote_or_summary: "“the profuse are brethren of the devils... the devil was ungrateful
unto his LORD.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used.
- id: ev:9
type: quote
locator: lines 22725-22727
quote_or_summary: "“let not thy hand be tied up to thy neck; neither open it with
an unbounded expansion”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 22728-22730
quote_or_summary: The Lord enlarges the store of whom he pleases and is sparing
to whom he pleases, knowing and regarding his servants.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:11
type: quote
locator: lines 22731-22733
quote_or_summary: "“Kill not your children for fear of being brought to want; we
will provide for them and for you.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used.
- id: ev:12
type: quote
locator: lines 22734-22735
quote_or_summary: "“Draw not near unto fornication; for it is wickedness, and an
evil way.”"
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used.
- id: ev:13
type: summary
locator: lines 22736-22737
quote_or_summary: The passage forbids slaying the soul God has forbidden to slay,
unless for a just cause.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:14
type: summary
locator: lines 22737-22742
quote_or_summary: For unjust killing, the heir receives power to demand satisfaction,
but must not exceed moderation in killing or revenge.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:15
type: summary
locator: lines 22683-22688
quote_or_summary: A note says the literal “bird” signifies fortune or success and
explains Arab, Greek, and Roman omens from bird flight and passing beasts.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:16
type: summary
locator: lines 22675-22679
quote_or_summary: A note says Adam tried to rise when breath had reached his navel,
while the lower body was still clay, and fell.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:17
type: summary
locator: lines 22679-22683
quote_or_summary: A note says Sawda bint Zama released a captive; Mohammed angrily
wished her hand might fall off, then prayed that God turn his curse into a blessing.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:18
type: quote
locator: lines 22745-22746
quote_or_summary: 'Footnote: “Literally, Lower the wing of humility, &c.”'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: The main translated passage is primarily ethical and legal instruction with
a few figurative images; several narrative details come from translator notes
rather than the main verse text.
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 metadata. No unsupported taxonomy symbols were assigned where unavailable.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg__l22673-l22767
passage_sha256=f775b318d7bc05029a71e525acf04b176856aafbc29224443a21f79d2233e9b1