Did Ya’qub know that Yusef is alive?

238. Ibn Mahboub, from hanaan Bin Sudeyr, who has said: I said to Abu Ja’far عليه الصلاة والسلام, ‘Inform me about the words of Yaqoub عليه السلام to his عليه السلام sons: “[12:87] O my sons! Go and inquire respecting Yusuf and his brother”, Did he عليه السلام know that he عليه السلام was alive, and there was a separation of twenty years between them?’ He عليه الصلاة والسلام said: ‘Yes’. I said, ‘How did he عليه السلام know?’ He عليه الصلاة والسلام said: ‘He عليه السلام supplicated before dawn and asked Allah عز وجل Mighty and Majestic that he عز وجل should Send down to him عليه السلام the Angel of Death. So Biryaal descended unto him عليه السلام, and he is the Angel of Death. So Biryaal said to him عليه السلام: ‘What is your عليه السلام need, O Yaqoub عليه السلام?’ He عليه السلام said: ‘Inform me about the souls. Do you capture them altogether or separately?’ He said, ‘But, I capture them separately, soul by soul’. He عليه السلام said to him: ‘So inform me, Did you come across the soul of Yusuf عليه السلام in what you have passed by?’ He said: ‘No’. Thus Yaqoub عليه السلام came to know that he عليه السلام was alive. So, due to that he عليه السلام said “[12:87] O my sons! Go and inquire respecting Yusuf and his brother”.