And when it was among the greatest objectives to console them for their arrogance in rejecting the word of monotheism; and their saying: 'Indeed, he is a poet, a madman'; he mentioned from the matter of Yunus - peace be upon him - what is known of the difficulty of the matter of prophethood; and the severity of its affair; and the weight of its matter; and the great care he - glorified and exalted is He - has for the messengers - peace be upon them - and that He did not choose them except by knowledge; so he does not abandon them; even if they strive to repel the message; so that they may increase in steadfastness for its obligations; and strength in fulfilling its affairs; he said: ﴿When he fled﴾; meaning: he escaped; when he was sent from his master whom Allah honored with the message; out of weakness in carrying it; for fleeing is escaping from the master; to where he thinks he will be hidden from him; ﴿to the ship﴾; meaning: the vessel in which one travels on the surface of the sea.

And when his action was in the manner of the action of one who is hostile; and his intention was to delve deeper into distance; and to hasten in the transition; he said: ﴿the laden﴾; meaning: the one that is filled; so there is no space in it for anything else to be in it; so there is no need for its people to remain for a moment waiting for something from the things; so when he placed his foot in it, they set sail; and the matter became tumultuous for them; and the earthquake intensified; until their vessel was about to sink; in a manner by which they recognized that this was for a servant who fled from his master; for among the people of the sea, it is known that the ship does not proceed smoothly if there is a runaway in it; this was narrated by al-Karmani and others from Ibn Abbas - may Allah be pleased with them both -; and this caused them that participation; meaning: the contest; as is their custom in such a matter; so they drew lots;