It is related from Abdullah ibn Yazid ibn Abi Farwah that, when Benjamin was detained, Jacob wrote a letter to Joseph: “From Jacob, the Israel of Allah, son of Isaac, the sacrifice of Allah (1), son of Abraham, the intimate friend of Allah, [to the king of Egypt] (2).

“To proceed: We are a household to whom trials have been assigned. As for my grandfather Abraham, his hands and feet were bound, and he was cast into the fire, but Allah made it cool and safe for him. As for my father, his hands and feet were bound and the knife was placed upon the back of his neck, but Allah ransomed him. As for me, I had a son who was the dearest of all my children to me. His brothers took him out into the wilderness, then came back to me with his shirt stained with blood, saying, ‘The wolf has eaten him.’ Thus I lost my sight [from weeping over him] (3).

“Then I had another son, his brother through his mother, and I found comfort in him. Yet you have detained him and alleged that he stole. We are a household that neither steals nor begets a thief. If you return him to me, well and good; otherwise, I shall invoke against you a supplication whose effect will reach the seventh of your descendants.”

When Joseph read the letter, he could no longer restrain his tears, and his patience gave way. He then disclosed his identity, as we shall mention, if Allah Most High wills (4).