إِذْ أَبَقَ إِلَى ٱلْفُلْكِ ٱلْمَشْحُونِ 140
Translations
[Mention] when he ran away to the laden ship.
Transliteration
Idh abaaqa ilal-fulk al-mashḥūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Prophet Yunus (Jonah) fleeing from his people when they rejected his message, boarding a fully laden ship in an attempt to escape his divine mission. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the word 'abaaqa' (fled/ran away) indicates he departed without permission from Allah, and 'al-fulk al-mashḥūn' (the laden ship) emphasizes the vessel was heavily loaded with cargo, symbolizing the weight of worldly concerns that distracted him from his prophetic duty.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah As-Saffat's narrative about the Prophet Yunus, which occurs in the Meccan period when the Quran frequently consoled the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with stories of other prophets who faced rejection. The surah presents Yunus's story as a lesson in patience and trust in Allah's plan, showing that even a chosen prophet initially attempted to flee his responsibility.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3391) where the Prophet Muhammad said: 'None of you should wish to be like Yunus ibn Matta' - referring to his hasty departure before receiving full permission from Allah, though Allah ultimately forgave him and he became one of the honored prophets.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that running away from divine responsibilities or moral obligations leads to difficulties, but Allah's mercy encompasses all who sincerely repent and return to Him—a powerful reminder that our initial failures do not define our ultimate destiny when we return to obedience.