When the situation came to a head and reached its most critical point, Joseph felt profound compassion for them. He disclosed his identity to them and reproached them.
⦗89–92⦘ “He said, ‘Do you realize what you did to Joseph and his brother when you were ignorant?’ They said, ‘Are you indeed Joseph?’ He replied, ‘I am Joseph, and this is my brother. Allah has certainly been gracious to us. Indeed, whoever fears Allah and remains patient—Allah never allows the reward of those who do good to be lost.’ They said, ‘By Allah, Allah has certainly favored you over us, and we were indeed at fault.’ He said, ‘There is no blame upon you today. May Allah forgive you, for He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.’”
“He said, ‘Do you realize what you did to Joseph and his brother?’” What they did to Joseph is evident. As for his brother, perhaps—and Allah knows best—it refers to their statement, “If he steals, a brother of his had stolen before him,” or to the fact that they were the cause and root of the incident that separated him from his father. “When you were ignorant.” This either offers them some excuse on account of their ignorance, or reproaches them for acting as ignorant people do, even though such conduct was neither proper nor befitting for them.
They then realized that the one addressing them was Joseph and said, “Are you indeed Joseph?” He replied, “I am Joseph, and this is my brother. Allah has certainly been gracious to us” by granting us faith, piety, and authority in this world. This was due to patience and piety. “Indeed, whoever fears Allah and remains patient”—that is, guards against doing what Allah has forbidden, patiently endures pain and affliction, and perseveres in obeying His commands—“Allah never allows the reward of those who do good to be lost.” All this is part of doing good, and Allah never allows the reward of anyone who does good deeds to be lost.
“They said, ‘By Allah, Allah has certainly favored you over us.’” That is, He favored you over us with noble character and excellent qualities, whereas we wronged you most grievously, strove to harm you, and sought to drive you far from your father. Yet Allah Most High favored you and empowered you to attain what you desired. “And we were indeed at fault.” This was the fullest possible acknowledgment of the offense they had committed against Joseph.
Joseph (peace be upon him) then “said” to them, out of his nobility and generosity: ⦗405⦘ “There is no blame upon you today.” That is, I neither rebuke nor blame you. “May Allah forgive you, for He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.” He pardoned them completely, without reproaching them by bringing up their former sin, and he prayed that they be granted forgiveness and mercy. This is the utmost degree of benevolence, attainable only by the most exceptional among creation and the choicest of those whom Allah has selected.