So when they had despaired of him, they secluded themselves in private consultation. The eldest of them said, "Do you not know that your father has taken upon you an oath by Allah and [that] before you failed in [your duty to] Joseph? So I will never leave [this] land until my father permits me or Allah decides for me, and He is the best of judges. 80 Return unto your father and say: O our father! Lo! thy son hath stolen. We testify only to that which we know; we are not guardians of the Unseen. 81 And ask thou in the town in which we were [at the time,] and of the people of the caravan with whom we travelled hither, and [thou wilt find that] we, are indeed telling the truth!"' 82 The father heard the narration and said: "(All that is untrue). But your souls have made it easy for you to engage in a heinous act. So, I will be graciously patient even at this. Allah may well bring them all back to me. He is All-Knowing, All-Wise." 83 And he turned away from them, and said: "How great is my grief for Joseph!" And his eyes became white with sorrow, and he fell into silent melancholy. 84 Said [his sons]: "By God! Thou wilt never cease to remember Joseph, till thou art broken in body and spirit or art dead!" 85 He replied: "I cry my plaint and grief to God, and know from God what you do not know. 86 "O my sons! go ye and enquire about Joseph and his brother, and never give up hope of Allah's Soothing Mercy: truly no one despairs of Allah's Soothing Mercy, except those who have no faith." 87 When his brothers presented themselves before Joseph, they pleaded, "Exalted one, distress has afflicted us and our family and we have brought only a paltry sum; but give us full measure. Be charitable to us. Truly, God rewards the charitable." 88 He said: Do you know how you treated Yusuf and his brother when you were ignorant? 89 Then they inquired, "Are you Joseph?" He said, "Yes, I am Joseph and this is my brother. God has indeed been gracious to us. One who exercises patience and observes piety should know that God does not ignore the reward of the righteous ones." 90 They said: by Allah! assuredly Allah hath chosen thee above us, and we have been sinners indeed. 91 Said he: "No reproach shall be uttered today against you. May God forgive you your sins: for 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