Interpretation Through Reflection

situation that emerges is this: Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) (Joseph), out of brotherly love, had placed his own drinking cup along with the travel provisions in his brother’s belongings. The palace officials knew about this. However, during this time, another, more important item from the palace—a “sawa’” (a measure used for weighing grain)— was hidden among the belongings and wasn’t easily seen. In their hurry, the palace officials focused their attention on the caravan members, suspected them, stopped them, and searched their belongings. During this search, they didn’t find the measure “sawa’” they were looking for, but they did find the drinking cup (saqayah) among Binyamin’s belongings. Thus, they detained Benjamin in accordance with the very law invoked by Joseph’s brothers, for—as the Quran relates—they themselves had said: The Egyptians asked, “If we find that you are lying, what penalty should we impose on you?” They replied, “The penalty should be that the one in whose saddlebag it is found will be held as a bondman to atone for the crime. That is how we punish the wrongdoers.” (12:74-75) This whole event was carried out by the palace officials on their own, without any order from Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) (Joseph). That is why God has attributed this event to Himself and said: “This is how We planned for Yusuf (Joseph). He could not take his brother under the king’s law