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enslaving of a thief.") We raise to degrees whom We please, but over all those endowed with knowledge is the All-Knowing (Allh).

77. They [(Ysuf's (Joseph) brothers] said: "If he steals, there was a brother of his [Ysuf (Joseph)] who did steal before (him)." But these things did Ysuf (Joseph) keep in himself, revealing not the secrets to them. He said (within himself): "You are in worst case, and Allh knows best the truth of what you assert!"

78. They said: "O ruler of the land! Verily, he has an old father (who will grieve for him); so take one of us in his place. Indeed we think that you are one of the Muhsinn (good-doers - see V.2:112)."

79. He said: "Allh forbid, that we should take anyone but him with whom we found our property. Indeed (if we did so), we should be Zlimn (wrong-doers)."

80. So, when they despaired of him, they held a conference in private. The eldest among them said: "Know you not that your father did take an oath from you in Allh's Name, and before this you did fail in your duty with Ysuf (Joseph)? Therefore I will not leave this land until my father permits me, or Allh decides my case (by releasing Benjamin) and He is the Best of the judges.

81. "Return to your father and say, 'O our father! Verily, your son (Benjamin) has stolen, and we testify not except according to what we know, and we could not know the unseen!

82. "And ask (the people of) the town where we have been, and the caravan in which we returned, and indeed we are telling the truth."

83. He [Ya'qb (Jacob)] said: "Nay, but your ownselves have beguiled you into something. So patience is most fitting (for me). May be Allh will bring them (back) all to me. Truly He! only He is All-Knowing, All-Wise."

84. And he turned away from them and said: "Alas, my grief for Ysuf (Joseph)!" And he lost his sight because of the sorrow that he was suppressing.

85. They said: "By Allh! You will never cease remembering Ysuf (Joseph) until you become weak with old age, or until you be of the dead."

86. He said: "I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allh, and I know from Allh that which you know not.

87. "O my sons! Go you and enquire about Ysuf (Joseph) and his brother, and never give up hope of Allh's Mercy. Certainly no one despairs of Allh's Mercy, except the people who disbelieve."

88. Then, when they entered unto him [Ysuf (Joseph)], they said: "O ruler of the land! A hard time has hit us and our family, and we have brought but poor capital, so pay us full measure and be charitable to us. Truly, Allh does reward the charitable."

89. He said: "Do you know what you did with Ysuf (Joseph) and his brother, when you were ignorant?"

90. They said: "Are you indeed Ysuf (Joseph)?" He said: "I am Ysuf (Joseph), and this is my brother (Benjamin). Allh has indeed been gracious to us. Verily, he who fears Allh with obedience to Him (by abstaining from sins and evil deeds, and by performing righteous good deeds), and is patient, then surely, Allh makes not the reward of the Muhsinn (good-doers - see V.2:112) to be lost."

91. They said: "By Allh! Indeed Allh has preferred you above us, and we certainly have been sinners."

92. He said: "No reproach on you this day, may Allh forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy!

93. "Go with this shirt of mine, and cast it over the face of my father, he will become clear-sighted, and bring to me all your family."

94. And when the caravan departed, their father said: "I do indeed feel the smell of Ysuf (Joseph), if only you think me not a dotard (a person who has weakness of mind because of old age)."

95. They said: "By Allh! Certainly, you are in your old error."

96. Then, when the bearer of the glad tidings arrived, he cast it (the shirt) over his face, and he became clear-sighted. He said: "Did I not say to you, 'I know from Allh that which you know not.' "

97. They said: "O our father! Ask forgiveness (from Allh) for our sins, indeed we have 
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