According to Zemahşerî, in the expression 'إن ربي بما كدن عليم' (Indeed, my Lord is Knowing of what they plot), several interpretations are possible: This can express that the cunning of women is very great and profound, something that only Allah can know; or it can mean that Yusuf calls upon Allah's knowledge as a witness to prove his own innocence and that the women had plotted against him; or it can be a threat directed at the women, meaning that Allah knows their cunning and will punish them accordingly. Additionally, Zemahşerî notes that some proponents of false doctrines have fabricated reports on this matter.

أراد أنه كيد عظيم لا يعلمه إلا الله ، لبعد غوره . أو استشهد بعلم الله على أنهن كدنه ، وأنه بريء مما قرف به ، أو أراد الوعيد لهن ، أي : هو عليم بكيدهن فمجازيهن عليه

According to this exegete, Yusuf's insistence on investigating the matter with the king and his expectation of not leaving prison immediately is evidence of his sound judgment and wisdom. Râzî explains this behavior through various aspects: if he had left immediately, doubt might have left a mark on hearts; while it would be normal for someone who spent twelve years in prison to leave immediately when called, his waiting shows his wisdom and patience; his calling the king to investigate is proof of his purity. Furthermore, he discusses the fact that the women's names are mentioned but not their mistress's (Zulaykha's), and he also examines whether the word 'Rab' (Lord) in the expression 'Inni Rabbi' could refer to Allah or to the king.

واعلم أن الذي فعله يوسف من الصبر والتوقف إلى أن تفحص الملك عن حاله هو اللائق بالحزم والعقل

Yusuf's instruction to the messenger to 'Return to your master and ask him about the case of the women who cut their hands' stems from his refusal to accept immediate release, as he first wanted to be completely absolved of the false accusation. This behavior is explained through his patience, deliberation, and his desire to definitively prove his innocence; his purpose was not merely to leave, but to have his innocence officially recognized in the eyes of the people. The Prophet's statement that if he were in the same situation, he would have preferred to leave immediately is not a criticism directed at Yusuf, but an emphasis of a different wisdom and precaution; because it is noted that delaying such an opportunity might not be safe for everyone.

كان هذا الفعل من يوسف عليه السلام أناة وصبرا وطلبا لبراءة الساحة وذلك أنه فيما روي خشي أن يخرج وينال من الملك مرتبة ويسكت عن أمر ذنبه صفحا فيراه الناس بتلك العين أبدا ويقولون : هذا الذي راود امرأة مولاه

According to Ibn Kesîr, when the king sent a messenger and wanted to bring Yusuf out of prison, Yusuf did not accept leaving immediately; he wanted the king and the people to know that he was innocent of the accusations directed at him by the wife of the Aziz, and that his imprisonment had no legitimate cause but was based on injustice and wrongdoing. Upon this attitude, a hadith is reported in which the Prophet praised him and drew attention to his virtue, honor, and patience.

فلما جاءه الرسول بذلك امتنع من الخروج حتى يتحقق الملك ورعيته براءة ساحته ونزاهة عرضه مما نسب إليه من جهة امرأة العزيز وأن هذا السجن لم يكن على أمر يقتضيه بل كان ظلما وعدوانا

According to Beydâvî, when Yusuf received the order from the king to be released, he did not leave immediately but requested that the matter of the women who cut their hands be investigated; the purpose of this was for his innocence to be revealed and for the envious not to find an opportunity to speak ill of him. Furthermore, he notes that the use of the word 'asked' instead of 'investigated' is an encouragement/incitement to the king regarding the investigation, and Yusuf's not mentioning his master's wife explicitly is a display of grace and propriety toward her.

إنما تأنى في الخروج وقدم سؤال النسوة وفحص حالهن لتظهر براءة ساحته ويعلم أنه سجن ظلما فلا يقدر الحاسد أن يتوسل به إلى تقبيح أمره.

According to Taberî, when the messenger called Yusuf, he did not accept leaving immediately; he first wanted the truth of the matter of the women and the incident that led to his imprisonment to be revealed. This behavior is explained by Yusuf's patience and his desire to seek an excuse/absolution for himself; it is noted that if he had left immediately, doubt about him might have remained in the heart of the Aziz.

أراد نبي الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن لا يخرج حتى يكون له العذر