batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l8310-l8360
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg-l8310-l8360
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
passage_locator:
label: SECTION VI. / OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE KORAN IN CIVIL AFFAIRS. / SECTION
VII. / SECTION VIII.; lines 8310-8360
start: '8310'
end: '8360'
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 two rival prophetic claimants, Moseilama and al Aswad,
presented as imitators or competitors of Mohammed. Moseilama claims a prophetic
commission, issues written revelations in imitation of the Koran, proposes to
divide the earth with Mohammed, and is later killed in battle by Wahsha during
Abu Becr's campaign. Al Aswad is described as an apostate who claims revelations
from two angels, uses the title connected with an ass, and gains followers through
feats and eloquence.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The passage states that Mohammed's rise in power and reputation by acting
as prophet induced others to imitate him.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Moseilama and al Aswad are named as Mohammed's most considerable competitors
in the prophetic office and are called “the two liars” by Mohammedans in the passage.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Moseilama is described as a principal man of the tribe of Honeifa in Yamma
who first professed himself a Moslem and later set himself up as a prophet.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Moseilama claims to share a commission with Mohammed to recall mankind from
idolatry to worship of the true God.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Moseilama publishes written revelations described as imitations of the Koran.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Moseilama sends Mohammed a letter proposing that the earth be divided between
them.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Mohammed replies by calling Moseilama a liar and saying that the earth belongs
to God, who gives it as inheritance to whomever he pleases.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: After Mohammed's death, Abu Becr sends an army under Khaled Ebn al Wald against
Moseilama.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Moseilama is slain in battle by Wahsha, described as the negro slave who had
killed Hamza at Ohod, and by the same lance.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: The Moslems gain a complete victory; many apostates are left dead and the
rest return to Mohammedism.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: Al Aswad, also named Aihala, is described as an apostate from Mohammedism
who sets up for himself in the year Mohammed died.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: Al Aswad is surnamed Dhu'lhemr, “the master of the ass,” because he says,
“The master of the ass is coming unto me.”
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:13
text: Al Aswad claims to receive revelations from two angels named Sohaik and Shoraik.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:14
text: Al Aswad is said to gain influence over the multitude through legerdemain,
eloquence, and strange feats.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Mohammed
description: Established prophet-figure in the passage whose power inspires imitators
and who rejects Moseilama's proposal.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Moseilama
description: A principal man of Honeifa in Yamma, a professed Moslem who later claims
prophecy, publishes imitative revelations, seeks to divide authority with Mohammed,
and is killed in battle.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: al Aswad / Aihala
description: An apostate prophetic claimant from the tribe of Ans, also called Dhu'lhemr,
who claims angelic revelations and gains followers through feats and eloquence.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Abu Becr
description: Mohammed's successor who sends a large army against Moseilama.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Khaled Ebn al Wald
description: General appointed to command the army sent against Moseilama.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Wahsha
description: A negro slave who kills Moseilama and is also said to have killed Hamza
at Ohod with the same lance.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Hamza
description: A person previously killed by Wahsha at Ohod, mentioned in connection
with the same lance later used against Moseilama.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Sohaik and Shoraik
description: Two angels from whom al Aswad pretends to receive revelations.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
roles:
- id: role:1
label: established prophetic authority
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Mohammed is the standard against whom imitators and competitors are defined,
and he answers Moseilama's claim.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: role:2
label: rival prophetic claimant
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:3
basis: Both figures are identified as competitors or apostates who set themselves
up as prophets or for themselves.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:6
- id: role:3
label: wonder-working persuader
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Al Aswad is described as using legerdemain, a smooth tongue, and strange
feats to gain followers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:4
label: military suppressor of revolt
assigned_to:
- fig:4
- fig:5
basis: Abu Becr sends the army, and Khaled Ebn al Wald commands it against Moseilama.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:5
label: slain claimant and slayer
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:6
basis: Moseilama is killed in battle by Wahsha.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: claimed revelatory intermediaries
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Al Aswad pretends to receive revelations from Sohaik and Shoraik.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: imitative written revelation
literal_form: written revelations published in imitation of the Koran
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:2
label: divided earth
literal_form: the earth proposed as half belonging to Moseilama and half to Mohammed
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:3
label: earth as divine inheritance
literal_form: the earth described as God's and given as inheritance to chosen servants
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: same lance
literal_form: the lance used by Wahsha to kill both Hamza and Moseilama
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:6
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: ass-title
literal_form: the title Dhu'lhemr, “the master of the ass,” and the saying that
the master of the ass is coming
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:6
label: angelic revelation claim
literal_form: two angels, Sohaik and Shoraik, named as sources of alleged revelation
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Rise of prophetic competitors
summary: Mohammed's increase in power and reputation is presented as causing others
to imitate him, especially Moseilama and al Aswad.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Moseilama's prophetic claim and correspondence
summary: Moseilama claims a shared commission, publishes written revelations, and
proposes to divide the earth with Mohammed; Mohammed rejects the proposal and
states that the earth belongs to God.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Battle against Moseilama
summary: Abu Becr sends an army under Khaled Ebn al Wald; Moseilama is killed by
Wahsha with the same lance previously used against Hamza, and the Moslems win.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Al Aswad's claimed revelations and feats
summary: Al Aswad sets himself up, uses the title master of the ass, claims revelations
from Sohaik and Shoraik, and gains followers through feats and speech.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: rival prophet imitates established revelation
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage explicitly presents Moseilama and al Aswad as competitors to
Mohammed, and Moseilama's writings are described as imitations of the Koran.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The passage is from a polemical explanatory context and uses hostile labels
such as “liar”; extraction records the presented pattern, not historical judgment.
- id: motif:2
label: claim to divide the earth rejected by divine ownership
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Moseilama proposes that the earth be half his and half Mohammed's; Mohammed
replies that the earth belongs to God and is granted as God pleases.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The motif is based on a single reported exchange and should not be expanded
beyond the stated claim and reply.
- id: motif:3
label: claimed angelic revelation as authority for a rival leader
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Al Aswad pretends to receive revelations from two named angels while setting
himself up as an apostate claimant.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage reports the claim from a hostile perspective; it does not
provide the content of the revelations.
- id: motif:4
label: wonders and eloquence winning the multitude
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Al Aswad is described as gaining influence through legerdemain, a smooth
tongue, and strange feats.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage characterizes the feats generally and does not describe individual
wonders.
- id: motif:5
label: reused weapon links separate killings
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Wahsha is said to kill Moseilama with the same lance with which he had killed
Hamza at Ohod.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: low
cautions: The passage notes the repeated weapon but does not explicitly assign symbolic
or ritual significance to it.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The passage explicitly frames Moseilama's written revelations as imitations
of the Koran, making a local comparison between rival revelatory texts.
claim_level: same_function
target: Koranic revelation / written revelations attributed to Moseilama
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: This is an internal comparison made by the passage; it does not establish
historical dependence beyond the passage's wording.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 8310-8315
quote_or_summary: Mohammed's success is said to draw imitators; Moseilama and al
Aswad are named as chief competitors in the prophetic office and called the two
liars.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 8315-8324
quote_or_summary: Moseilama of Honeifa first professes Islam, then sets up as a
prophet and claims a shared commission to recall mankind from idolatry to worship
of the true God.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 8324-8328
quote_or_summary: Moseilama publishes written revelations described as being in
imitation of the Koran; a short sample is introduced.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 8328-8337
quote_or_summary: Moseilama writes to Mohammed proposing that the earth be half
his and half Mohammed's; Mohammed replies that the earth is God's and given as
inheritance to whom God pleases.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 8337-8348
quote_or_summary: Abu Becr sends an army under Khaled Ebn al Wald; Moseilama is
slain by Wahsha with the same lance used against Hamza, and the Moslems win the
battle.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 8349-8358
quote_or_summary: Al Aswad, also called Aihala, is described as an apostate who
sets up for himself, is surnamed master of the ass, and claims revelations from
angels named Sohaik and Shoraik.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized for extraction.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 8358-8360
quote_or_summary: Al Aswad is said to have skill in legerdemain and a smooth tongue,
gaining the multitude through strange feats.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamic/project-gutenberg/koran-sale.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized for extraction.
confidence:
extraction: medium
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: The passage is explanatory and polemical, with embedded footnote material
and hostile labels for rival claimants. Literal narrative elements are clear,
but symbolic and motif interpretations should be reviewed.
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 available taxonomy symbol refs were applied. Available motif-family refs were not applied because the passage does not directly support one of the supplied taxonomy categories.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamic-koran-sale-gutenberg__l8310-l8360
passage_sha256=3d8b2d884d4299be520da2aadda7de690deadf5632db3b23a84488d9375b431c