The cup and the younger brother

When the brothers return, Yusuf draws his brother close and reveals his identity to him, reassuring him about what they have done. As the supplies are prepared, the drinking cup is placed among his brother’s belongings. An announcement and search follow, and the brothers state the consequence that would apply to whoever is found with it.

The search begins with the other bags before the cup is found with his brother. The Qur’an explains that this was an arrangement for Yusuf: he could not have retained his brother under the king’s law in that manner unless Allah willed. The account should be read with that explanation rather than expanded into unsupported legal generalizations.

The brothers appeal for one of them to be taken instead because of their elderly father, but the request is not granted. Their situation now recalls the family’s earlier separation. The scene prepares a test of how they will respond when return without a brother seems unavoidable.