Another aspect, higher than what we mentioned: the Year in which the people are given help and in which they press is the manifestation of our Master—exalted be his glory—on the Day of the Return (al-Raj'a). The "people" are the believers, for they are helped therein.
{And when they entered upon Yusuf, he took his brother to himself; he said, "Indeed, I am your brother, so do not despair of what they used to do"}1. A folk said he is Talib ibn Abi Talib in the Muhammadan Cycle. That which I related from my Sheikh by his chain to al-Khasibi—may God ennoble his station—is that he is Ja'far al-Tayyar.
His saying {he said, "Indeed, I am your brother"}2 is His manifestation to him in luminosity. He made him recognize that He is the worshipped Meaning. He is Benjamin in the Yusufite manifestation; thus the location of separation was distinguished from the location of connection. This is the recognition by which he flew in every manifestation.
His saying: {So when he had furnished them with their supplies, he put the drinking cup into the pack of his brother. Then an announcer called out, "O travelers, indeed you are thieves"}3. He intends the Saa’ [measure] with which they were measured—this is in the outward.
As for the inward: the drinking cup (al-saa') is the Gate. Through him, the sciences of God are measured and recognized. He is also the Water-drawer for them and the Deliverer. Because the Water-drawer put it in the pack of his brother—meaning, the science of their recognition was placed with him to guide them toward it. His saying: {"O travelers, indeed you are thieves"}4. The reality of theft is taking the recognition of God without "paternity" (ubuwwa) and without merit.