his path is shortened meaning that he was slow and had shortened his path there. so he made this north wind drive him and the south wind attract him because the south wind according to the people of hijaz and what is next to it is what brings rain and they seek good fortune from it and make it an example of goodness. hamid ibn thawr said
سيره مقصور يريد أنه بطئ قد قصر فى سيره هناك. فجعل هذا الشمأل تسوقه والجنوب تستدره لأن الجنوب عند أهل الحجاز وما يليه هى التى تأتى بالغيث يتيمنون بها ويجعلونها مثلا للخير. قال حميد ابن ثور