They said, “O ʿAziz [Yusuf’s current position] indeed he has a father [who is] a very old man, so take one of us in place of him. Indeed, we see you as a doer of good.” He said, “[I seek] refuge with Allah that we take except him with whom we found our possession. Indeed, we would then be wrong doers.”
So when they had despaired of him, they secluded themselves in private consultation. The eldest of them said, “Do you not know that your father has taken upon you an oath by Allah and before that you failed in [your duty to] Yusuf? So I will never leave [this] land until my father permits me or Allah decides for me, and He is the best of judges. Return to your father and say, ‘O our father, indeed your son has stolen, and we did not testify except to what we knew. And we were not guardians of the unseen. And ask the city in which we were and the caravan in which we came – and indeed, we are truthful.'” [Yaqub] said, “Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. Perhaps Allah will bring them all to me. Indeed, it is He who is the All Knowing, All Wise.”