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When they despaired of moving Joseph, they went to a corner and conferred together. The eldest of them said, "You know that your father has taken a solemn pledge from you in the name of Allah, and you also know that you had wronged Joseph before this. I will not, therefore, leave this land until my father gives me permission or Allah decides in my favor, for Allah is the best of all those who decide.

Go back to your father and say, `Dear father, your son committed a theft. We did not see him stealing: we are simply stating what we have come to Know and we could not guard against the unforeseen.

You may inquire from the people of that town and from the caravan in which we traveled back home. We are surely telling the truth."

Hearing this story, the father said, "Your souls have made another thing easy for you.64 Well, I will bear this, too, patiently with good grace. Maybe Allah will bring them all to me, for He knows everything and all His works are based on wisdom."

Then he turned his face from them and cried, "Alas for Joseph! "-He was sorely oppressed with suppressed sorrow and his eyes had become white with grief.

The sons exclaimed, `By Allah! You have not ceased to think of Joseph and now things have come to such a pass that you will ruin your health or kill yourself with grief for him.

" He replied, "I complain to Allah alone of my sorrow and grief. And I know from Allah what you do not know.

My children, go and make a search for Joseph and his brother. Dont despair of Allahs mercy, for it is the unbelievers alone who despair of His mercy."

When they went back to Egypt and presented themselves before Joseph, they humbly. said, "Exalted sir! we and our family are in great distress: though we have been able to bring only goods of scant worth for barter, we request you to give us full measure of grain, and be charitable to us: for Allah rewards richly those who are charitable."

At this Joseph. who could contain himself no longer, exclaimed, "Do you know what you did with Joseph and his brother, when you were ignorant?"

This took them by surprise and they cried, "Why! are you indeed Joseph"? He replied, "Yes, I am Joseph, and here is my brother. Allah has been very gracious to us. The fact is that Allah does not let go waste the recompense of such righteous people as practice piety and fortitude."

They said, "By God! Allah has exalted you above us, and we have indeed been sinful."

He replied, "Today no penalty shall be inflicted on you. May Allah forgive you! He is the most Merciful of all.

Go, take this shirt of mine, and cast this over the face of my father and he shall recover his sight. Then bring all the members of your family to me."