“When he fled to the laden ship, and drew lots and was among those selected by lot. Then the fish swallowed him while he was blameworthy. Had he not been among those who glorify Allah, he would have remained in its belly until the Day they are resurrected. But We cast him upon the open shore while he was ill.” (140–145)

“When he fled to the laden ship”: that is, he fled.

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, and Wahb said: Jonah had promised his people punishment, but when the punishment was delayed from them, he left them like one driven away. (1) He then headed for the sea and boarded a ship. The ship became stalled, so the sailors said, “There is a runaway slave here who has fled from his master.” They cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. They cast lots three times, and each time it fell upon Jonah. Jonah said, “I am the runaway,” and threw himself into the water.

It is related in the account that when he reached the sea, his wife and his two sons were with him. A vessel arrived, and he wished to board it with them. He put his wife aboard first, intending to board after her, but the waves came between him and the vessel, and it sailed on. Then another wave came and carried away his elder son, and a wolf came and took the younger son. Thus he was left alone. Another vessel then arrived, and he boarded it, sitting apart from the people. When the ship sailed upon the sea, it came to a standstill, so they cast lots. We have already mentioned this account in Surah Yunus. (2)

This is the meaning of His saying, exalted is He: “And he drew lots”—that is, he cast lots. Casting lots is the casting of arrows for the purpose of drawing lots. “And was among those selected by lot”: that is, those upon whom the lot fell.

“Then the fish swallowed him”: that is, it swallowed him whole. “While he was blameworthy”: that is, he had done something for which he was deserving of blame.

“Had he not been among those who glorify Allah”: that is, among those who remembered Allah before this; he was frequent in remembrance. Ibn Abbas said: among those who prayed. Wahb said: among the worshippers. Al-Hasan said: He did not perform any prayer in the belly of the fish; rather, he had preceded this with righteous deeds. Al-Dahhak said: Allah Most High requited him for his former obedience.

It was also said that “Had he not been among those who glorify Allah” refers to his glorifying Allah in the belly of the fish. Sa‘id ibn Jubayr said: this refers to his words: “There is no god worthy of worship except You. Glory be to You! Indeed, I was among the wrongdoers.” (al-Anbiya 87)

“He would have remained in its belly until the Day they are resurrected”: that is, the belly of the fish would have become his grave until the Day of Resurrection.

“But We cast him”: that is, We threw him out, “upon the open shore,” meaning upon the face of the earth. Al-Suddi said: on the seashore. The open shore is land devoid of trees and vegetation. “While he was ill”: that is, weak and sick, like a fledgling stripped of its feathers. It was also said that his flesh had wasted away, his bones had become thin, and he had no strength left.