batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l3070-l3120
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l3070-l3120
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
passage_locator:
label: THE KORAN. / PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE / SECTION I. / SECTION II.; lines 3070-3120
start: '3070'
end: '3120'
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 recounts diplomatic missions from Mohammed to rulers, varied
responses including gifts, conversion, rejection, and curses; then describes military
events in the eighth year of the Hejra, including new proselytes, the battle near
Muta, Khaled Ebn al Wald receiving the title “Sword of God,” and preparations
to take Mecca after a broken truce.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Mokawkas, governor of Egypt, received the messenger favorably and sent valuable
presents to Mohammed, including two girls, one named Mary.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Mohammed sent letters to several Arab princes, and the passage reports different
responses from al Hareth, Hawdha Ebn Ali, and al Mondar Ebn Swa.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: After al Hareth answered that he would go to Mohammed himself, Mohammed said,
“May his kingdom perish.”
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Hawdha Ebn Ali sent a rough answer; Mohammed cursed him, and the passage says
Hawdha died soon after.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Al Mondar Ebn Swa embraced Mohammedism, and the Arabs of his country followed
his example.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: In the eighth year of the Hejra, Khled Ebn al Wald and Amru Ebn al As became
proselytes of Mohammedism.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Mohammed sent 3,000 men against Grecian forces to avenge the death of one
of his ambassadors.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: The Grecian forces are described as vastly superior in number, and the Mohammedans
were initially repulsed and lost three successive generals.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: Khled Ebn al Wald succeeded to command, defeated the Greeks with great slaughter,
took rich spoil, and received the title “One of the Swords of GOD.”
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: The Meccans are said to have broken a truce through an attack involving the
tribe of Becr, allies of the Koreish, against Khozah, allies of Mohammed.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: Abu Sofin journeyed to Medina to heal the breach and renew the truce, but
Mohammed refused to see him.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: Mohammed ordered preparations to surprise the Meccans while they were unprepared
and began his march toward Mecca.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Mohammed
description: Prophet who receives presents, sends letters, utters curses, orders
military action, refuses Abu Sofin, and prepares to march on Mecca.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:5
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Mokawkas
description: Governor of Egypt who receives Mohammed’s messenger favorably and sends
presents.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Mary
description: One of two girls sent among Mokawkas’s presents; named as becoming
a great favorite with Mohammed.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: al Hareth Ebn Abi Shamer
description: King of Ghassn who answers Mohammed’s letter by saying he would go
to Mohammed himself.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Hawdha Ebn Ali
description: King of Yamma, described as Christian and as having returned to his
former faith after earlier professing Islamism; sends a rough answer and dies
soon after Mohammed curses him.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: al Mondar Ebn Swa
description: King of Bahrein who embraces Mohammedism, with the Arabs of his country
following his example.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Khled Ebn al Wald
description: Excellent soldier, proselyte, commander after the loss of three generals,
victor over the Greeks, and recipient of the title “One of the Swords of GOD.”
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Amru Ebn al As
description: Excellent soldier who becomes a proselyte of Mohammedism.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Mohammedan forces
description: A force of 3,000 men sent against the Grecian forces; initially repulsed
before Khled’s command.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Grecian forces
description: Enemy forces, including auxiliary Arabs, described as numbering 100,000.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Zeid Ebn Hareth, Jaafar, and Abdallah Ebn Rawha
description: Three successive generals of the Mohammedan forces who are lost in
the first attack.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Abu Sofin
description: Person who journeys to Medina to heal the breach and renew the truce,
but is refused by Mohammed.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Koreish and tribe of Becr
description: The Koreish are described as confederates of Becr; Becr attacks Khozah
and is supported by a party of the Koreish.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: Khozah
description: Allies of Mohammed attacked by the tribe of Becr, with several killed.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
roles:
- id: role:1
label: prophet and sender of letters
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage calls Mohammed the prophet and describes him sending letters
to rulers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: ruler receiving diplomatic communication
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
basis: These figures are governors or kings involved in receiving messengers or
letters from Mohammed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:3
label: gifted favorite
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Mary is named among Mokawkas’s gifts and is said to become a great favorite
with Mohammed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: proselyte or convert
assigned_to:
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
basis: The passage says al Mondar, Khled, and Amru embraced or became proselytes
of Mohammedism.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: military commander or force
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:9
- fig:11
basis: Mohammed sends troops; Khled succeeds to command; the Mohammedan forces fight;
three generals are named as lost.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: avenger and war initiator
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Mohammed sends men to avenge the death of an ambassador and later orders
preparations against Mecca.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
- id: role:7
label: rejected correspondent under curse
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Hawdha sends a rough answer, Mohammed curses him, and he dies soon after.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:8
label: opposing army
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The Grecian forces oppose the Mohammedan army and are later overthrown by
Khled.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:9
label: truce negotiator
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: Abu Sofin travels to Medina to heal the breach and renew the truce.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:10
label: truce-breaking attackers
assigned_to:
- fig:13
basis: The passage says Becr attacked Khozah and was supported by a party of the
Koreish, causing violation of the truce.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:11
label: attacked allies
assigned_to:
- fig:14
basis: Khozah are described as allies of Mohammed who are attacked and killed by
Becr.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Sword of God title
literal_form: 'Honorific title: “One of the Swords of GOD”'
associated_figures:
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:2
label: truce
literal_form: A truce concluded two years earlier and later broken
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:12
- fig:13
- fig:14
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:3
label: letters to rulers
literal_form: Letters sent by Mohammed to Arab princes and rulers
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Diplomatic exchanges with rulers
summary: Mohammed’s messengers and letters reach rulers; some respond favorably
with gifts or conversion, while others reject or answer roughly and are cursed.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Battle near Muta after the slain ambassador
summary: Mohammed sends 3,000 men against larger Grecian forces to avenge a slain
ambassador; after initial losses, Khled assumes command, wins, takes spoil, and
receives the title “One of the Swords of GOD.”
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:3
label: Broken truce and march toward Mecca
summary: The passage says Mecca’s inhabitants had broken the truce through an allied
attack; Abu Sofin’s attempt to renew the truce fails, and Mohammed prepares a
surprise march on Mecca.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:12
- fig:13
- fig:14
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Prophetic curse followed by downfall or death
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Mohammed curses or speaks against rulers who reject him; in Hawdha’s case
the passage explicitly says he died soon after the curse.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage is historical-discursive rather than a mythic tale; only one
death is explicitly connected in sequence after the curse.
- id: motif:2
label: Broken covenant or truce leading to punitive campaign
taxonomy_refs:
- covenant
basis: A truce is said to have been broken by the Koreish-aligned attack on Mohammed’s
allies, after which negotiations fail and Mohammed prepares to march on Mecca.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage uses political treaty language rather than explicitly theological
covenant language.
- id: motif:3
label: Warrior as divine weapon
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: After victory, Khled Ebn al Wald receives the title “One of the Swords of
GOD.”
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: This is an honorific title in a historical narrative; no available taxonomy
symbol for sword is supplied.
- id: motif:4
label: Vengeance for slain envoy
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Mohammed sends troops against Grecian forces to avenge the death of one of
his ambassadors.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: No specific supplied taxonomy family directly matches this motif.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 3070-3073
quote_or_summary: Mokawkas, governor of Egypt, gives the messenger a favorable reception
and sends valuable presents to Mohammed, including two girls, one named Mary.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 3073-3082
quote_or_summary: Mohammed sends letters to Arab princes; al Hareth’s answer prompts
Mohammed to say his kingdom should perish; Hawdha sends a rough answer and dies
soon after Mohammed curses him; al Mondar embraces Mohammedism and his Arabs follow.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 3083-3087
quote_or_summary: The eighth year of the Hejra is described as fortunate; Khled
Ebn al Wald and Amru Ebn al As become proselytes of Mohammedism.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 3087-3097
quote_or_summary: Mohammed sends 3,000 men against Grecian forces to avenge a slain
ambassador; the Grecians are described as vastly superior, and the Mohammedans
are first repulsed and lose three generals.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 3097-3102
quote_or_summary: Khled Ebn al Wald succeeds to command, overthrows the Greeks,
takes rich spoil, and receives the title “One of the Swords of GOD.”
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; includes brief title quotation from public domain
passage.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 3103-3114
quote_or_summary: The inhabitants of Mecca are said to have broken a two-year truce
when Becr, confederates of the Koreish, attacked Khozah, allies of Mohammed; Abu
Sofin goes to Medina to heal the breach and renew the truce, but Mohammed refuses
to see him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 3115-3117
quote_or_summary: Mohammed orders preparations to surprise the Meccans while unprepared
and begins his march toward Mecca.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized from supplied passage.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: The passage is a historical section from Sale’s preliminary discourse, not
a mythic narrative. Literal extraction is straightforward; motif assignment is
limited to cautious high-level patterns supported by the 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 supplied passage does not itself support a comparison to another corpus or tradition beyond candidate motif-family tagging.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg__l3070-l3120
passage_sha256=de17c9e3f7b55b5e6775c63aeff5110f497e307fd36242837bdcbd0b943fd78e