When Yusuf's brothers agreed to take him and throw him down the well, taking the advice of their elder brother Rubil, they went to their father Ya`qub, peace be upon him. They said to him, "Why is it that you,

[لاَ تَأْمَنَّا عَلَى يُوسُفَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَنَـصِحُونَ]

(do not trust us with Yusuf though we are indeed his well-wishers).'' They started executing their plan by this introductory statement, even though they really intended its opposite, out of envy towards Yusuf for being loved by his father. They said,

[أَرْسِلْهُ مَعَنَا]

"(Send him with us) tomorrow so that we all enjoy ourselves and play.'' Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and As-Suddi said similarly. Yusuf's brothers said next,

[وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَـفِظُونَ]

(and verily, we will take care of him.), we will protect him and ensure his safety for you.

[قَالَ إِنِّى لَيَحْزُنُنِى أَن تَذْهَبُواْ بِهِ وَأَخَافُ أَن يَأْكُلَهُ الذِّئْبُ وَأَنْتُمْ عَنْهُ غَـفِلُونَ - قَالُواْ لَئِنْ أَكَلَهُ الذِّئْبُ وَنَحْنُ عُصْبَةٌ إِنَّآ إِذَا لَّخَـسِرُونَ ]

(13. He (Ya`qub) said: "Truly, it saddens me that you should take him away. I fear lest a wolf should devour him, while you are careless of him.'') (14. They said: "If a wolf devours him, while we are `Usbah (a group), then surely, we are the losers.'')