Now when they saw no hope of his (yielding), they held a conference in private. The leader among them said: "Know ye not that your father did take an oath from you in Allah's name, and how, before this, ye did fail in your duty with Joseph? Therefore will I not leave this land until my father permits me, or Allah commands me; and He is the best to command. 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 "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." 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: Alas, my grief for Joseph! And his eyes were whitened with the sorrow that he was suppressing. 84 They said: By Allah, thou wilt never cease remembering Joseph till thy health is ruined or thou art of those who perish! 85 He said: "I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you know not. 86 Go, my sons, and seek news of Joseph and his brother. Do not despair of God's mercy; none but those who deny the truth despair of God's mercy." 87 And when they came (again) before him (Joseph) they said: O ruler! Misfortune hath touched us and our folk, and we bring but poor merchandise, so fill for us the measure and be charitable unto us. Lo! Allah will requite the charitable, 88 'Do you know' he replied, 'what you did to Joseph and his brother in your ignorance' 89 They said: Are you indeed Yusuf? He said: I am Yusuf and this is my brother; Allah has indeed been gracious to us; surely he who guards (against evil) and is patient (is rewarded) for surely Allah does not waste the reward of those who do good. 90 They said: "By Allah! indeed has Allah preferred thee above us, and we certainly have been guilty of sin!" 91 He said: Have no fear this day! May Allah forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy. 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