For seven years of good raining and abundant water, the condition of farming in Egypt was very well, and everything was in abundant and more than enough. Joseph in that period managed to construct the necessary stores and preserving places. He then ordered the farmers to sell their extra corns to the government, and do not keep whatever was in addition to their needs.

      The seven years of plenty and full supply elapsed and there came the years of hungry famine throughout the land of Egypt; and extended like a violent flood to the neighbouring countries such as Canaan. People set forth from here and there in search of food, and many went to Egypt to obtain some sustenances. Joseph's preprations and reserves was more than enough to meet the calamity.

      Now in that hardship of famine and scarcity, Joseph began to think seriously of his poor old father, and of Benjamine his brother, and the other cruel and unkind sons of his father. He thought if the brethren had treated Benjamine as they had treated himself. Joseph was thinking so, when a list of some foreigners who had come from Canaan to buy corn , was brought to him. He scanned the least, and trembled at once for seeing the names of his ten step brothers in it!! In a state of joyous surprise he ordered his servants to bring the ten strangers to him, whose names he had marked in the list. Of course Joseph did not tell his men who they were, or that he knew them at all. The brethren had been driven out of Canaan by the calamity of famine to find something for sustenance:ِ

      ``And Joseph's brethren came and entered before him. Joseph knew them but they denied Joseph.''

      Although they saw the governor of Egypt in his splendid Egyptian array, being in shape and form exactly like their brother eaten by the wolf, they could not believe him to be Joseph the Dreamer! How could that slave boy whom they sold him at the price of a few silver coin have been reached to that high rank and glorious position, in a foreign country like Egypt!? They even could not believe to see Joseph alive after what they had done with him!

      Joseph treated his brethren in a large and noble way as he used to treat all the servants of God. He took the lead, and then gradually entered into a conversation with them, without telling them who he was. He enquired about their family and occupation. They said that they had an old father who was of the apostles of God, and that he was downcast with sorrow and grief for losing a beloved son he had!

      Joseph asked for some detail of the father's grief, and they answered:ِ ``He was a sweet handsome boy when he came with us to play in the desert. We left our dear little brother with our stuff and went racing. A wolf then attacked and devoured our brother; but we still have another brother who is of the same mother as him.''

      Joseph expressed a deep sympathy to the ten brethren, and furnished them with whatever of provisions that they expected, in full measure; and in addition, the share of their absent brother. In their departure, Joseph said to them:ِ

      ``Bring to me your other brother that you said you have, in next time you come. See that I have given you a ration for him too. If you bring him not to me, you shall have no more measure of corn from me, nor you do come near me.''

      It was very important for Joseph that they would come back bringing Benjamine with them. For that purpose he said to his servants:ِ ``Put their money or whatever their capital for trade was, in such a way that they could find it when they reached home.''

      Some have asked why did Joseph not sent a message or a letter some how to his father to save him from his deep sorrow, or why he did not introduce himself to his brothers sooner, and showed so much patience in that? To answer that; the commentators say:ِ ``Joseph was an apostle who worked according to God's Inspiration. He had no permission from God to present himself then; perhaps, because, his family was under a test and trial of God.''