They said (to Ya‘qūb), “Our father, why is it that you do not trust us about Yūsuf, while we are his well-wishers indeed.

Send him with us tomorrow, that he may eat and play, and of course, we will remain as guards for him.”

He said, “It makes me sad that you should take him with you, and I fear that some wolf may eat him up when you are heedless of him.”

They said, “If a wolf eats him up, while we are a whole group, we are then losers indeed.”

So, when they went away with him and were determined to put him in the bottom of a pit, (they did accordingly). And We revealed to him (Yūsuf), “You will (one day) remind them of this deed of theirs, and they will not recognize (you).”

And at nightfall, they came to their father weeping.

They said, “Father, we went racing with one another, and left Yūsuf with our belongings, and the wolf ate him up. You will never believe us, howsoever truthful we may be.”

And they came with fake blood on his shirt. He said, “Rather, your inner desires have tempted you to do something. So, patience is best. It is Allah whose help is sought against what you describe.’’

And some wayfarers came (near the pit in which Yūsuf was thrown), and sent their water-drawer (to bring water for them). So, he let down his bucket. He said, “What a good news! Here is a boy.” And they kept him hidden as merchandise, while Allah was aware of what they were doing.

And they sold him for a paltry price, for a few silver-coins, and they had not much interest in him.