batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l23205-l23297
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l23205-l23297
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
passage_locator:
label: CHAPTER XVII. / IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. / CHAPTER XVIII. /
IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.; lines 23205-23297
start: '23205'
end: '23297'
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 opening of Chapter XVIII praises God for sending down the straight
book, warning unbelievers and promising paradise to righteous believers. It rejects
the claim that God has begotten issue, describes earthly adornment as a trial
destined to become dry dust, and introduces the companions of the cave and Al
Rakim. Young believers take refuge in a cave, pray for mercy and right guidance,
are made to sleep undisturbed for many years, and are later awakened. The passage
says they resisted a tyrant, confessed the Lord of heaven and earth, rejected
other gods, and withdrew from their people into the cave. Sale’s notes identify
the cave story with Christian youths at Ephesus and discuss interpretations of
Al Rakim.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: God is described as sending down the book to his servant and making it a straight
rule rather than crooked.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The book is said to threaten grievous punishment to unbelievers and give good
tidings of paradise to faithful people who work righteousness.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The passage warns those who say that God has begotten issue and says they
and their fathers have no knowledge of this matter.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: What is on the earth is described as an ornament made to test which people
excel in works, and it will be reduced to dry dust.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The companions of the cave and Al Rakim are described as one of God’s signs
and a great miracle.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Young men take refuge in a cave and pray for mercy and a right issue for their
business.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: Their ears are struck with deafness, so that they sleep undisturbed in the
cave for many years.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:8
text: They are awakened so that it may be known which of two parties computed the
length of their stay more exactly.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:9
text: The young men are described as believers in their Lord whose hearts are fortified
with constancy when they stand before a tyrant.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:10
text: The young men declare that their Lord is the Lord of heaven and earth and
that they will not call on any god besides him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:11
text: The young men criticize their people for taking other gods without demonstrative
argument.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:12
text: The young men counsel one another to separate from their people and the deities
they worship, and to fly into the cave where their Lord will pour mercy on them
and dispose their business to advantage.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:13
text: Sale’s note identifies the cave companions as Christian youths of Ephesus
who hid in a cave to avoid persecution under Decius and slept for many years.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:14
text: Sale’s note reports multiple interpretations of Al Rakim, including a mountain
or valley, the dog’s name, or a brass plate or stone table at the cave mouth bearing
the young men’s names.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: God
description: The deity who sends down the book, warns and promises, tests people,
gives signs, grants mercy, and directs the young men.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:8
- ev:10
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Servant receiving the book
description: The servant to whom God has sent down the book of the Koran.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Unbelievers
description: People threatened with grievous punishment from God’s presence.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Faithful who work righteousness
description: People promised an excellent reward, paradise, where they shall remain
forever.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Those who say God has begotten issue
description: People warned for saying that God has begotten issue, a claim described
as lacking knowledge and as a lie.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Companions of the cave
description: Young men who believe in their Lord, take refuge in a cave, sleep there
for many years, and are awakened.
role_refs:
- role:7
- role:8
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:10
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Al Rakim
description: Named together with the companions of the cave; Sale’s note reports
uncertainty about whether it denotes a place, a dog, or an inscribed plate or
table.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:12
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Tyrant
description: The ruler or persecuting authority before whom the young men stand
with fortified hearts.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Fellow people of the young men
description: The young men’s people, described as taking other gods besides God.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
roles:
- id: role:1
label: divine revealer
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God sends down the book and makes it a straight rule.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: divine judge and tester
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God threatens punishment, promises paradise, and makes earthly things a trial
of works.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: role:3
label: recipient of revelation
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The book is sent down to God’s servant.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: threatened group
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Unbelievers are threatened with grievous punishment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:5
label: rewarded righteous group
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Faithful people who work righteousness are promised paradise forever.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:6
label: false-claim speakers
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: They say God has begotten issue, which the passage calls a grievous saying
and a lie.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:7
label: refuge-seeking believers
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The young men believe in their Lord and take refuge in the cave.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: role:8
label: miraculous sleepers
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: They sleep undisturbed in the cave for many years after their ears are struck
with deafness.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:9
label: awakened witnesses of elapsed time
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: They are awakened in connection with determining which party computed their
stay more exactly.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:10
label: opposing ruler
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The young men stand before the tyrant and declare exclusive devotion to their
Lord.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:11
label: idol-worshipping community
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The young men say their fellow people have taken other gods besides God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: cave
literal_form: The cave where the young men take refuge, sleep for many years, and
expect divine mercy.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- cave
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:10
- id: sym:2
label: book
literal_form: The book of the Koran sent down as a straight rule.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: earthly ornament
literal_form: Whatever is on the earth, ordained as ornament and a trial, later
to be reduced to dry dust.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: dry dust
literal_form: The reduced state of what is on the earth after the trial.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:5
label: deafened ears
literal_form: The young men’s ears are struck with deafness so they sleep undisturbed.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:6
label: Al Rakim
literal_form: A named item or place associated with the cave companions; Sale’s
note gives several possible identifications.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:12
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Revelation, warning, and promise
summary: God is praised for sending down a straight book that warns unbelievers
of punishment and promises paradise to righteous believers.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Rejection of divine offspring claim
summary: The passage warns those who say God has begotten issue, saying they speak
without knowledge and utter a lie.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Earth as trial and future dust
summary: Earthly adornment is presented as a test of works and destined to be reduced
to dry dust.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Refuge of the young men
summary: The companions of the cave are introduced as a divine sign; the young men
enter the cave and pray for mercy and a right outcome.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Long sleep and awakening
summary: The young men sleep undisturbed in the cave for many years and are later
awakened in connection with measuring the duration of their stay.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:6
label: Standing before the tyrant
summary: The young men, fortified in heart, stand before the tyrant and declare
the Lord of heaven and earth as their only Lord.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:8
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:7
label: Separation from the community
summary: The young men condemn their people’s worship of other gods and counsel
withdrawal from them into the cave, expecting divine mercy.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: scene:8
label: Translator’s traditional identifications
summary: Sale’s notes identify the cave companions with Christian youths of Ephesus
and summarize differing explanations of Al Rakim.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: refuge in a cave from hostile society
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: The young believers separate from their people and deities and fly into the
cave, expecting mercy and a favorable outcome.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The taxonomy reference is broad; the passage specifically concerns refuge
rather than a full journey cycle.
- id: motif:2
label: miraculous sleep and awakening after many years
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The young men are made to sleep undisturbed in the cave for many years and
are later awakened.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage describes sleep and awakening, not literal death and resurrection.
- id: motif:3
label: faithful remnant resisting idolatrous authority
taxonomy_refs:
- covenant
basis: The young men believe in their Lord, stand before a tyrant, reject all gods
besides the Lord of heaven and earth, and criticize their people’s other gods.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not use covenant terminology; the reference is to exclusive
allegiance to God.
- id: motif:4
label: earthly life as divine test followed by destruction
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Earthly adornment is made a trial of human works and will be reduced to dry
dust; the opening also contrasts punishment for unbelievers with paradise for
righteous believers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The passage states testing and reward/punishment but does not narrate
a final judgment scene in detail.
- id: motif:5
label: revealed book as straight rule
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: God sends down the book and makes it a straight rule for warning and good
tidings.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: The available taxonomy reference is broad; the motif here is specifically
revelation and guidance.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: Sale’s note explicitly links the companions of the cave with a Christian
tradition about youths of Ephesus who hid in a cave during Decius’s persecution
and slept for many years.
claim_level: historical_contact
target: Christian tradition of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: This claim rests on the translator’s note within the supplied passage,
not on independent evidence supplied here; the canonical passage itself does not
name Ephesus, Decius, or the Seven Sleepers.
- id: claim:2
claim: The passage shares the same broad motif of long miraculous sleep in a cave
with the tradition identified by Sale as the Christian youths of Ephesus.
claim_level: same_motif
target: long-sleeping cave companions / Seven Sleepers pattern
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:11
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The supplied passage gives only a summarized translator identification
and does not provide the full Christian comparison text.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 23205-23220
quote_or_summary: God sends down the book to his servant, makes it a straight rule,
warns unbelievers of grievous punishment, and promises paradise forever to faithful
people who work righteousness.
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 23233-23237
quote_or_summary: The passage warns those who say God has begotten issue, saying
they lack knowledge and speak a grievous lie.
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 23240-23244
quote_or_summary: What is on earth is made an ornament to test who excels in works,
and it will be reduced to dry dust.
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 23245-23246
quote_or_summary: The companions of the cave and Al Rakim are introduced as one
of God’s signs and a great miracle.
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 23247-23249
quote_or_summary: The young men take refuge in the cave and pray for mercy and a
right outcome.
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 23250-23252
quote_or_summary: Their ears are struck with deafness so they sleep undisturbed
in the cave for many years.
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 23253-23255
quote_or_summary: They are awakened so that it may be known which of two parties
more exactly computed their time in the cave.
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 23256-23262
quote_or_summary: 'The history is related as truth: the young men believed in their
Lord, were directed, had their hearts fortified before the tyrant, and declared
the Lord of heaven and earth as their only Lord.'
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 23263-23266
quote_or_summary: The young men say their people have taken other gods without demonstrative
argument and that inventing lies about God is unjust.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 23267-23271
quote_or_summary: The young men counsel separation from their people and deities
and flight into the cave, where their Lord will pour mercy on them and arrange
their affairs advantageously.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: note r, lines 23273-23285
quote_or_summary: Sale’s note says the cave companions were Christian youths of
Ephesus who hid in a cave to avoid Decius’s persecution, slept many years, and
that the story was borrowed from Christian traditions with additions.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: note s, lines 23286-23297
quote_or_summary: 'Sale’s note reports differing views of Al Rakim: a mountain or
valley, the name of the dog, a brass plate or stone table with the youths’ names,
or a separate cave-deliverance story involving three men and a stone.'
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: medium
notes: Core extraction is based directly on the supplied passage. Motif taxonomy
mappings are cautious because available taxonomy categories are broad. Comparison
claims depend on Sale’s footnotes included in the supplied 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: |-
Only the provided passage and metadata were used. Literal observations are separated from motif interpretation; no external taxonomy IDs beyond supplied available references were added.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg__l23205-l23297
passage_sha256=24dfbfe492e5c95d69eb3317c784045aba104b55bf9892fec2924ffca2d0d889