Tafsir of Yusuf 12:16

"And they came to their father at nightfall, weeping."

• Al-Hasan narrated it as ‘ashiyyan (عشيا), the diminutive of ‘asha (عشى). It is said: "I met him at ‘ashiyyan and ‘ashiyyanan, and asilan and asilanan."
• Ibn Jinni narrated it as ‘ushy (عشى), with a damma on the ‘ayn and shortened.
• Others said it refers to ‘ashwan (عشوا) from weeping (i.e., their eyes were affected by weeping).
• It is narrated that a woman brought a dispute before Shurayh and began to weep. Al-Sha‘bi said to him, "O Abu Umayya, do you not see her weeping?" He replied, "The brothers of Yusuf came to their father weeping, yet they were the oppressors. It is not fitting for anyone to judge except by what he has been commanded to judge by, according to the approved Sunnah."
• It is narrated that when he (Ya‘qub) heard their voices, he was alarmed and said, "What is the matter with you, my sons? Has something happened to your sheep?" They said, "No." He said, "Then what is the matter, and where is Yusuf?"

"They said, 'O our father, indeed we went racing...'"

• Meaning: We were competing in running or archery. The forms ifti‘al and tafa‘ul are synonymous, such as intidal and tanadul (competing in archery), or irtima’ and tarami (throwing).
• In the Tafsir: It is said they were competing in archery.

"...and left Yusuf by our belongings, and the wolf ate him. But you will not believe us, even if we were truthful."

• Meaning: Even if we were among those known to you for truthfulness and reliability, because of your intense love for Yusuf, you would not believe us. How much less so, when you already have a poor opinion of us and do not trust our word?

"And they brought his shirt stained with false blood. He said, 'Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allah is the one sought for help against that which you describe.'"