batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l38782-l38848
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l38782-l38848
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
passage_locator:
label: ENTITLED, THE FIG; WHERE IT WAS REVEALED IS DISPUTED. / IN THE NAME OF THE
MOST MERCIFUL GOD. / CHAPTER XCVI. / IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.; lines
38782-38848
start: '38782'
end: '38848'
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 commands reading in the Lord's name, describes the Lord as
creator of humanity from congealed blood and as teacher of the pen and unknown
knowledge, warns that wealth can make humans insolent, declares return to the
Lord, challenges one who forbids the servant while praying and denies revelation,
and threatens punishment by the forelock with infernal guards. Commentary identifies
the opening verses as an early revelation and connects later verses with Abu Jahl's
opposition to Mohammed's prayer.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The passage commands reading in the name of the Lord who created all things.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Human beings are described as created from congealed blood.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- id: obs:3
text: The Lord is described as teaching the use of the pen and teaching humanity
what it did not know.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: The passage states that man becomes insolent when he sees himself abounding
in riches.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: The passage states that the return of all is unto the Lord.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: A figure is described as forbidding the servant when he prays.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:7
text: The passage asks about the same figure if he follows right direction, commands
piety, accuses divine revelations of falsehood, or turns back.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: The passage states that God sees.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: The passage threatens to drag the opposing figure by the lying, sinful forelock
if he does not forbear.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:10
text: The opposing figure is told to call his council, while infernal guards will
be called to cast him into hell.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:11
text: The passage concludes by telling the addressee not to obey the opponent, but
to continue adoring God and draw near to him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:12
text: A note says the first five verses are generally allowed to be the first revealed
passage of the Koran, though alternatives are mentioned.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:13
text: A note says the repeated command to read is understood as a reply to Mohammed's
statement that he could not read, and that God would remedy the defect.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:14
text: A note says the remaining part of the chapter was revealed against Abu Jahl
and describes his threat against Mohammed during adoration.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:15
text: A note says Abu Jahl turned back in fright after seeing a ditch of fire and
a terrible appearance of troops between himself and Mohammed.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: the Lord / God
description: The creator of all things, creator of man from congealed blood, teacher
of the pen and unknown knowledge, seer, and the one to whom all return.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: man / humanity
description: Humanity is created from congealed blood, taught by God, and described
as liable to insolence when abounding in riches.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:6
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: the servant who prays
description: A servant is described as praying and being forbidden by an opponent;
commentary connects this with Mohammed.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:8
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Mohammed
description: In commentary, Mohammed is the illiterate recipient of the command
to read and the one threatened by Abu Jahl during adoration.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: opponent / Abu Jahl
description: The passage describes a figure who forbids the servant, may deny revelations,
and is threatened with punishment; commentary identifies the later part as against
Abu Jahl.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:8
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: infernal guards
description: Agents who will be called to cast the opponent into hell.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: council of the opponent
description: The group the opponent is told to call to his assistance.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: angel
description: A commentary note says the former words were spoken by the angel.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
roles:
- id: role:1
label: creator
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The Lord is said to have created all things and man from congealed blood.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: divine teacher
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The Lord is said to teach the use of the pen and what man did not know.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: divine judge and seer
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage says return is to the Lord, that God sees, and that infernal
guards will be called against the opponent.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: role:4
label: created and instructed humanity
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Humanity is described as created from congealed blood and taught by God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- id: role:5
label: praying servant
assigned_to:
- fig:3
- fig:4
basis: The passage refers to the servant when he prays; commentary links the prayer
scene to Mohammed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:8
- id: role:6
label: recipient of command to read
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Commentary says the command to read is a reply to Mohammed, who declared
that he could not read.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:7
label: adversary who forbids prayer and denies revelation
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The passage describes one who forbids the servant praying, turns back, and
accuses divine revelations of falsehood; commentary identifies Abu Jahl as the
target of the remaining chapter.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:8
- id: role:8
label: punitive infernal agents
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The infernal guards are said to be called to cast the opponent into hell.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:9
label: human support group
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The opponent is told to call his council for assistance.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:10
label: revelatory messenger in commentary
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: A note says the earlier words were spoken by the angel.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: pen
literal_form: the pen
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: congealed blood
literal_form: congealed blood / thick or concreted blood
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- id: sym:3
label: forelock
literal_form: the lying, sinful forelock
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: hell and infernal guards
literal_form: infernal guards called to cast him into hell
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:5
label: ditch of fire
literal_form: a ditch of fire seen between Abu Jahl and Mohammed in commentary
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:6
label: prayer or adoration
literal_form: the servant when he prays; Mohammed in the act of adoration
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:8
- id: sym:7
label: divine revelations
literal_form: the divine revelations accused of falsehood by the opponent
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Command to read and divine teaching
summary: The addressee is commanded to read in the name of the Lord, who creates,
teaches the pen, and teaches what humanity does not know.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:7
- id: scene:2
label: Human insolence and return to the Lord
summary: The passage states that man becomes insolent through wealth and that all
return to the Lord.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Opponent forbids prayer and denies revelation
summary: An opponent is described as forbidding the servant when he prays and as
potentially denying divine revelations and turning back.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Threat of divine punishment
summary: The passage warns that God sees, threatens to drag the opponent by the
sinful forelock, and contrasts his council with infernal guards who will cast
him into hell.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Commentarial protection from Abu Jahl
summary: Commentary reports that Abu Jahl threatened Mohammed during adoration but
turned back after seeing a ditch of fire and a terrible appearance of troops.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:6
label: Instruction to continue adoration
summary: The passage tells the addressee not to obey the opponent but to continue
adoring God and draw near to him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: divine teaching of knowledge
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: God is described as teaching the use of the pen and teaching humanity what
it did not know.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: The passage frames this as divine instruction rather than a developed
wisdom tale.
- id: motif:2
label: return to divine judgment
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The passage says all return to the Lord, that God sees, and that the opponent
may be dragged by the forelock and cast into hell by infernal guards.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The judgment is presented as admonition and threat, not as a narrated
afterlife journey.
- id: motif:3
label: prophetic commissioning through revelatory command
taxonomy_refs:
- initiation
- wisdom
basis: The opening command to read is linked by commentary to Mohammed's inability
to read and to the promise that God would remedy this defect; another note says
these opening verses are generally held to be the first revealed passage of the
Koran.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The commissioning structure is inferred from the commentary supplied with
the passage; the passage itself gives commands and attributes of God rather than
a full narrative scene.
- id: motif:4
label: divine protection of a praying servant
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: Commentary says Abu Jahl threatened Mohammed in adoration but turned back
after seeing a ditch of fire and troops defending him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: This motif is drawn from Sale's commentary note rather than the main translated
verses.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 38782-38790
quote_or_summary: The chapter opens with a command to read in the Lord's name; the
Lord creates all things, creates man of congealed blood, teaches the pen, and
teaches man what he does not know.
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 38791-38796
quote_or_summary: The passage says man becomes insolent when rich, that return is
to the Lord, and asks about one who forbids the servant when he prays.
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 38797-38800
quote_or_summary: The passage asks whether the opponent follows right direction
or commands piety, and whether he accuses divine revelations of falsehood and
turns back.
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 38842-38848
quote_or_summary: The passage says God sees, threatens to drag the offender by the
lying sinful forelock, contrasts his council with infernal guards, and commands
continued adoration and nearness to God.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: note l, within lines 38801-38841
quote_or_summary: The note says the first five verses, ending with God teaching
man what he knew not, are generally allowed to be the first revealed passage of
the Koran, though other views are mentioned.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: note m, within lines 38801-38841
quote_or_summary: The note glosses congealed blood as thick or concreted blood and
adds exceptions in the commentator's account.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: note n, within lines 38801-38841
quote_or_summary: The note says the repeated command is supposed to reply to Mohammed,
who said he could not read, and that God, who inspired writing, would remedy the
defect; it also mentions words spoken by the angel.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: notes o-p, within lines 38801-38841
quote_or_summary: The notes say the remaining chapter was revealed against Abu Jahl,
who threatened Mohammed during adoration but turned back after seeing a ditch
of fire and a terrible appearance of troops defending him.
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: Main observations are explicit in the supplied passage and notes. Motif labels
are limited to supported taxonomy references and remain draft candidates. No external
comparison claims were added.
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 supplied passage text, notes, metadata, and available taxonomy references were used.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg__l38782-l38848
passage_sha256=c9e430e69bde375d6cbc55503290e6609137f162859c0cd5a8872b7c6d0397fc