And when he, peace be upon him, informed them that his knowledge was above their knowledge, he followed it up with a statement that indicates this, saying: "O my sons, go." Then he caused them to go, and he followed this with his saying: "So seek information"; that is, with all your efforts, "from Yusuf and his brother." That is, seek news of them with your senses, perhaps you may find them. This confirms what has previously been suggested regarding his assumption that the doer of that is Yusuf, blessings and peace be upon him.

And when they did not have the knowledge that he had, he said: "And do not despair"; that is, do not lose hope, "of the mercy of Allah"; that is, of Him who has all perfection. And the term 'mercy' - as Al-Rummani said - refers to a pleasant breeze, and it seems that this is its origin. The intended meaning is: of His mercy, relief, facilitation, and kindness in gathering what is scattered and facilitating the intended matter. Then he justified this prohibition with his saying: "Indeed, none despairs"; that is, none loses hope, "of the mercy of Allah"; that is, of Him who has all the attributes of majesty and honor, "except for the disbelieving people"; that is, those who are firmly entrenched in disbelief.