Then when they despaired of him they counselled together privately. The eldest of them said: know ye not that your father hath taken an assurance from you before Allah? and aforetime ye have been remiss in your duty in respect of Yusuf; I so will by no means go forth from the land until my father giveth me leave or Allah judgeth for me, and He is the Best of judges. 80 [And as for you others,] return to your father and say: 'O our father! Behold, thy son has stolen - but we [can] bear witness to no more than what has become known to us; and [although we gave you our pledge,] we could not guard against something that [lay hidden in the future and hence,] was beyond the reach of our perception. 81 Enquire of the city wherein we were, and the caravan in which we approached; surely we are truthful men".' 82 "No," said (the father). "You have made up the story; but patience is best; God may bring them back to me. He is all-knowing and all-wise." 83 And he turned away and said: 'Alas for Joseph' His eyes turned white with the grief he repressed within him. 84 The sons said: "By Allah! You will continue to remember Joseph until you will either consume yourself with grief, or will die." 85 He said, "I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you do not know. 86 My sons, go and search for Joseph and his brother and do not despair of receiving comfort from God; only the unbelievers despair of receiving comfort from Him." 87 So, when they entered unto him, they said, 'O mighty prince, affliction has visited us and our people. We come with merchandise of scant worth. Fill up to us the measure, and be charitable to us; surely God recompenses the charitable.' 88 Replied he: "Do you remember what you did to Joseph and his brother when you were still unaware [of right and wrong]?" 89 They said, 'Why, art thou indeed Joseph?' 'I am Joseph,' he said. 'This is my brother. God has indeed been gracious unto us. Whosoever fears God, and is patient -- surely God leaves not to waste the wage of the good-doers. 90 'By Allah' they said, 'Allah has preferred you above us all. We have indeed been sinful' 91 He said, "No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful." 92 Go, take this shirt of mine and cast it over my father's face, he will recover his sight. Then return to me with all your family' 93