batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l28723-l28821
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l28723-l28821
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
passage_locator:
label: CHAPTER XXVIII. / IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD. / CHAPTER XXIX. /
IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.; lines 28723-28821
start: '28723'
end: '28821'
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 describes divine destruction of sinful peoples by wind, heavenly
noise, earth-swallowing, and drowning; compares reliance on patrons besides God
to the weak house of a spider; presents the Koran as revelation and sign; instructs
prayer and mild disputation with people of scripture; warns unbelievers of sudden
punishment and hell; promises return to God, death for every soul, and paradise
with rivers for the righteous; describes God as creator, provider, sender of rain
that revives the dead earth, protector of Mecca, and guide of those who strive
for the true religion.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Different groups are said to have been destroyed for sin by violent wind,
a terrible noise from heaven, the earth swallowing them, or drowning.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Those who take patrons besides God are compared to a spider making a house,
described as the weakest of houses.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: The passage says similitudes are propounded to people and understood by the
wise.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The addressee is told to rehearse what has been revealed of the book of the
Koran and to be constant in prayer.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: Dispute with those who have received scriptures is to be conducted in the
mildest manner, except toward those who behave injuriously.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: The passage states, in speech addressed to people of scripture, that the God
of both groups is one.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Opponents ask for a sign to be sent down, and the answer states that signs
are in the power of God alone.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: The punishment requested by unbelievers is said to have a determined time
but will overtake them suddenly.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Punishment is described as assailing from above and from under the feet.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: Every soul is said to taste death and then return to God.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: Believers who do righteousness are promised higher apartments of paradise
with rivers flowing beneath them.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: God is described as providing for beasts that do not provide their own food,
and for humans.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:13
text: Rain sent from heaven is said to quicken the earth after it has been dead.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:14
text: When people sail in a ship, they call sincerely upon God, but after safe arrival
on land they return to idolatry.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:15
text: The territory of Mecca is described as an inviolable and secure asylum while
surrounding countries are spoiled.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:16
text: Those who endeavor to promote the true religion are promised direction into
God's ways.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: God
description: The creator, knower, provider, sender of revelation and rain, judge,
punisher, protector, and guide described throughout the passage.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Those who take other patrons besides God
description: People compared to a spider relying on the weakest of houses.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Spider
description: A spider making herself a house, used in the passage's likeness for
reliance on other patrons besides God.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Addressee of revelation
description: The person addressed as receiving the Koran, being told to rehearse
it, answer demands for signs, and serve as a public preacher.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Those who have received the scriptures
description: People with former scriptures, some of whom believe in the Koran, and
with whom disputation is to be mild unless they behave injuriously.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Unbelievers or obstinate infidels
description: People who reject signs, believe in vain idols, deny God, urge punishment
to hasten, and are associated with hell.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:9
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Believers and workers of righteousness
description: People who believe, do righteousness, persevere with patience, trust
in their Lord, and are promised paradise.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Meccans
description: People who, when asked, acknowledge God as creator of heaven and earth
and governor of sun and moon, yet are criticized for acknowledging other gods.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Sailors in a ship
description: People who call on God sincerely while sailing, but after safe arrival
on land return to idolatry.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: divine judge
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God destroys sinful peoples and sets punishment for unbelievers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- id: role:2
label: revealer and witness
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The Koran is said to have been sent down, and God is called a sufficient
witness.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:3
label: creator and provider
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: God creates heaven and earth, governs sun and moon, provides for creatures,
and sends rain.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:4
label: guide of the righteous
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Those who strive for the true religion are promised direction into God's
ways.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:5
label: misplaced dependents
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: They take patrons besides God and are likened to reliance on a spider's weak
house.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:6
label: public preacher and recipient of revelation
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The addressee receives the Koran, is told to rehearse it, and says he is
no more than a public preacher.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: scripture community
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: They are described as having received scriptures and as sharing belief in
one God when addressed by the speaker.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:8
label: deniers facing punishment
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: They reject signs, deny God, and are warned that punishment and hell will
overtake them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:9
label: righteous recipients of paradise
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Believers who work righteousness are promised higher apartments of paradise
with rivers beneath.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:10
label: crisis supplicants who relapse
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: They call on God while at sea but return to idolatry after safe arrival.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: spider house
literal_form: The spider's house, called the weakest of houses.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: violent wind
literal_form: A violent wind sent against some destroyed peoples.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: earth swallowing
literal_form: The earth swallowing some destroyed peoples.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:4
label: drowning
literal_form: Some destroyed peoples are drowned.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:5
label: heavenly book
literal_form: The book of the Koran sent down and read to the people.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: sym:6
label: punishment from above and below
literal_form: Punishment assailing from above and from under the feet.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:7
label: paradise rivers
literal_form: Rivers flowing beneath higher apartments of paradise.
associated_figures:
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:8
label: rain reviving dead earth
literal_form: Rain from heaven quickening the earth after it has been dead.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:9
label: ship at sea
literal_form: A ship in which people call sincerely upon God before being brought
safe to land.
associated_figures:
- fig:9
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:10
label: secure Mecca
literal_form: The territory of Mecca as an inviolable and secure asylum.
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Destruction of sinful peoples
summary: God destroys different sinful groups by wind, heavenly noise, earth-swallowing,
and drowning, while the passage denies that God treated them unjustly.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Spider-house likeness
summary: Reliance on patrons besides God is likened to a spider's weak house, and
the passage states that only the wise understand such similitudes.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Revelation, prayer, and mild disputation
summary: The addressee is told to rehearse the revealed Koran, maintain prayer,
and address people of scripture by affirming belief in what was sent to both groups
and in one God.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Demand for signs and warning of sudden punishment
summary: Opponents demand a sign and urge the hastening of punishment; the answer
says signs belong to God and that punishment will come suddenly at its determined
time.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Death, return, and paradise
summary: Every soul will taste death and return to God, while believers who do righteousness
are promised eternal residence in paradise with rivers beneath.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Provision and revived earth
summary: God provides for beasts and humans, creates and orders the heavens, earth,
sun, and moon, and sends rain that revives the dead earth.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:7
label: Supplication at sea and relapse on land
summary: People sailing in a ship call sincerely on God, but when brought safely
to land they return to idolatry.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:8
label: Secure asylum and guidance
summary: Mecca is presented as an inviolable secure asylum amid surrounding insecurity,
and those who strive for the true religion are promised guidance into God's ways.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Divine judgment by natural and cosmic forces
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Sinful peoples are destroyed by violent wind, a heavenly noise, earth-swallowing,
and drowning; unbelievers are warned of sudden punishment and hell.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The passage frames these as divine acts; individual historical identifications
appear only in footnotes and are not needed for the motif extraction.
- id: motif:2
label: Fragile false refuge
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Those who take patrons besides God are likened to a spider relying on the
weakest of houses.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: No supplied taxonomy family directly names the spider-house image.
- id: motif:3
label: Revelatory book as sufficient sign
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The Koran is described as sent down, read to people, a mercy and admonition,
and signs in the breasts of those with understanding.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy reference to wisdom is broad; the passage primarily emphasizes
revelation and sign.
- id: motif:4
label: Death, return to God, and paradisal reward
taxonomy_refs:
- resurrection
- divine_judgment
basis: Every soul tastes death, returns to God, and righteous believers receive
eternal lodging in paradise with rivers beneath.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage states return and afterlife reward, though it does not narrate
an extended afterlife journey.
- id: motif:5
label: Rain revives the dead earth
taxonomy_refs:
- death_rebirth
basis: Rain from heaven quickens the earth after it has been dead.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The image is agricultural and theological; mapping to death-rebirth is
interpretive but directly supported by the dead/revived earth language.
- id: motif:6
label: Crisis piety at sea followed by relapse
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Ship passengers call sincerely upon God while sailing, but after safe arrival
on land return to idolatry.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: No supplied taxonomy family specifically captures this maritime crisis-and-relapse
pattern.
- id: motif:7
label: Sacred secure asylum
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Mecca is described as an inviolable and secure asylum amid surrounding insecurity.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents the place as protected but does not elaborate a full
sanctuary myth.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The passage explicitly aligns its revelation with earlier scripture communities
by saying belief is affirmed in what was sent down to both groups and that their
God is one.
claim_level: same_function
target: former scriptures and people who have received the scriptures
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: This is an intra-passage theological alignment, not evidence by itself
for historical contact or detailed motif borrowing.
- id: claim:2
claim: The footnotes connect several modes of destruction in the passage with named
scriptural or legendary exempla, including Sodom and Gomorrah, Ad and Thamud,
Karun, Noah's contemporaries, and Pharaoh's army.
claim_level: same_motif
target: scriptural destruction exempla named in Sale's notes
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The named identifications come from translator notes in the provided
passage, not from the main verse text itself.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 28723-28727
quote_or_summary: God destroys sinful peoples by violent wind, terrible noise from
heaven, earth-swallowing, and drowning; the passage says they wronged their own
souls.
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 28728-28735
quote_or_summary: Those taking patrons besides God are likened to a spider making
a house, and the weakest house is the spider's; similitudes are understood by
the wise.
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 28736-28751
quote_or_summary: God creates the heavens and earth in truth; the addressee is told
to rehearse the revealed Koran, pray, and dispute mildly with people of scripture
while affirming one God and shared revelation.
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 28752-28768
quote_or_summary: The Koran is sent down to the addressee; some former scripture
communities and Arabians believe; the addressee did not read or write before;
opponents ask for a sign, and the answer says signs belong to God and the speaker
is a public preacher.
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 28769-28791
quote_or_summary: Unbelievers urge punishment to be hastened; it has a determined
time and will overtake them suddenly; hell encompasses them; punishment will assail
from above and beneath their feet.
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 28792-28800
quote_or_summary: Believing servants are told God's earth is spacious; every soul
tastes death and returns to God; righteous believers are lodged forever in higher
apartments of paradise with rivers beneath.
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 28801-28813
quote_or_summary: God provides for beasts and humans; Meccans acknowledge God created
heaven and earth and set sun and moon in their courses; God sends rain from heaven
to revive the dead earth.
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 28814-28818
quote_or_summary: Present life is described as a toy and plaything compared to paradise;
when people sail in a ship they call on God sincerely, but after safe landing
return to idolatry.
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 28819-28821
quote_or_summary: Mecca is described as an inviolable secure asylum amid surrounding
insecurity; denial of truth is condemned; those who strive for the true religion
are directed into God's ways.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: footnotes h-l within lines 28775-28785
quote_or_summary: Translator notes identify the wind or stones with Sodom and Gomorrah,
the heavenly noise with Ad and Thamud, earth-swallowing with Karun, and drowning
with unbelievers in Noah's time and Pharaoh's army.
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: Literal extraction is well supported by the passage. Motif labels are cautious
and based on supplied taxonomy where applicable. Comparison claims are limited
to explicit intra-passage alignment with former scriptures and translator-note
parallels.
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: |-
All observations and motifs are derived from the provided passage and notes only.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg__l28723-l28821
passage_sha256=89842eea7e868c8ea3bc759ae18eaaa8a45b9986c174c1d14b156debce2b2321