(543) Our Master al-Sadiq—exalted be his glory—said regarding that: "Beware of the thieves who are the burglars of the courtyards"—meaning: those who have no paternity; which is to take science from other than a "Father." As for the "Announcer," he is Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr.
The words of the Almighty: {So he began with their bags before the bag of his brother; then he extracted it from the bag of his brother. Thus did We plan for Yusuf. He could not have taken his brother within the religion of the king except that God willed. We raise in degrees whom We will, and above every possessor of knowledge is a Knower}1.
We have said that the Drinking Cup is the Gate; so the Master permitted him to speak and manifest the Call, and he did so. Their saying: {They said, "If he steals - a brother of his has stolen before." But Yusuf kept it within himself and did not reveal it to them. He said, "You are in a worse position, and God is most knowing of what you describe"}.2
{within himself and did not reveal it to them}3. Sheikh Abu al-Hasan al-Muqri—may God have mercy on him—said: this is a location of praise, not a location of blame. Because when they looked at the Lord Yusuf—exalted be his glory—manifesting incapacity when He began with their bags before the bag of his brother, they knew that was a wisdom from Him. They completed the manifestation of incapacity by mentioning Cloaking from themselves; and they "cloaked" by their saying: {"If he steals - a brother of his has stolen before"}4. Every theft in the Book of God is blamed, except in this location, for it is praise from them and not blame.