مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِىِّ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَن يَسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَلَوْ كَانُوٓا۟ أُو۟لِى قُرْبَىٰ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْجَحِيمِ 113
Translations
It is not for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are companions of Hellfire.
Transliteration
Mā kāna lilnnabiyyi walladhīna āmanū an yastaghfirū lilmushrikīna wa law kānū ulī qurbā min ba'da mā tabayyana lahum annahum ashhābu aljahīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah prohibits the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the believers from seeking forgiveness for polytheists, even if they are close relatives, once it has become clear to them that such polytheists are destined for Hell. Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that this ruling applies specifically to those who die in a state of disbelief and shirk, as their fate is sealed. The verse emphasizes that intercession and forgiveness are impossible for those who persist in rejecting Allah's monotheism, establishing a clear boundary between the believers' compassion and their obligation to uphold Islamic principles.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of Surah At-Tawbah, which deals with the rules of repentance and the treatment of polytheists during the Islamic state's expansion. It specifically addresses a situation where believers, out of familial love or tribal loyalty, might be tempted to pray for the forgiveness of deceased polytheist relatives. The verse clarifies that such intercession is futile and forbidden once disbelief has been definitively established.
Related Hadiths
Hadith from Sahih Bukhari: 'When Abu Talib was dying, the Prophet asked him to testify to the oneness of Allah, but Abu Talib refused. After his death, the Prophet sought permission to pray for his forgiveness, but Allah revealed this verse prohibiting such intercession.' Additionally, Surah 9:80 (in the same surah) reinforces this by stating: 'Ask forgiveness for them or ask not forgiveness for them... Allah will not forgive them.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that genuine love for relatives must never compromise one's commitment to Islamic principles—believers must accept that their prayers cannot change the eternal fate of those who rejected Allah's oneness. It serves as a profound reminder that while compassion is valued in Islam, our ultimate loyalty must be to Allah and His truth, and we must accept His divine justice even when it concerns those closest to us.
Related Ayahs
يَحْلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ مَا قَالُوا۟ وَلَقَدْ قَالُوا۟ كَلِمَةَ ٱلْكُفْرِ وَكَفَرُوا۟ بَعْدَ إِسْلَـٰمِهِمْ وَهَمُّوا۟ بِمَا لَمْ يَنَالُوا۟ ۚ وَمَا نَقَمُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ أَنْ أَغْنَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ ۚ فَإِن يَتُوبُوا۟ يَكُ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ ۖ وَإِن يَتَوَلَّوْا۟ يُعَذِّبْهُمُ ٱللَّهُ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ وَمَا لَهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مِن وَلِىٍّ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ
They swear by Allāh that they did not say [anything against the Prophet (ﷺ)] while they had said the word of disbelief and disbelieved after their [pretense of] Islām and planned that which they were not to attain. And they were not resentful except [for the fact] that Allāh and His Messenger had enriched them of His bounty. So if they repent, it is better for them; but if they turn away, Allāh will punish them with a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And there will not be for them on earth any protector or helper.
وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَلْمِزُكَ فِى ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتِ فَإِنْ أُعْطُوا۟ مِنْهَا رَضُوا۟ وَإِن لَّمْ يُعْطَوْا۟ مِنْهَآ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْخَطُونَ
And among them are some who criticize you concerning the [distribution of] charities. If they are given from them, they approve; but if they are not given from them, at once they become angry.
كَيْفَ وَإِن يَظْهَرُوا۟ عَلَيْكُمْ لَا يَرْقُبُوا۟ فِيكُمْ إِلًّا وَلَا ذِمَّةً ۚ يُرْضُونَكُم بِأَفْوَٰهِهِمْ وَتَأْبَىٰ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ فَـٰسِقُونَ
How [can there be a treaty] while, if they gain dominance over you, they do not observe concerning you any pact of kinship or covenant of protection? They satisfy you with their mouths, but their hearts refuse [compliance], and most of them are defiantly disobedient.
وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُمْ لَيَقُولُنَّ إِنَّمَا كُنَّا نَخُوضُ وَنَلْعَبُ ۚ قُلْ أَبِٱللَّهِ وَءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَرَسُولِهِۦ كُنتُمْ تَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
And if you ask them, they will surely say, "We were only conversing and playing." Say, "Is it Allāh and His verses and His Messenger that you were mocking?"