So he began [the search] with their bags before the bag of his brother; "

So he began [the search] with their bags before the bag of his brother; then he extracted it from the bag of his brother. Thus did We plan for Joseph. He could not have taken his brother within the religion [i.e., law] of the king except that Allah willed. We raise in degrees whom We will, but over every possessor of knowledge is one [more] knowing.