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
فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَقُلْ حَسْبِىَ ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ ۖ وَهُوَ رَبُّ ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
But if they turn away, [O Muḥammad], say, "Sufficient for me is Allāh; there is no deity except Him. On Him I have relied, and He is the Lord of the Great Throne."
وَأَذَٰنٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦٓ إِلَى ٱلنَّاسِ يَوْمَ ٱلْحَجِّ ٱلْأَكْبَرِ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَرِىٓءٌ مِّنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ ۙ وَرَسُولُهُۥ ۚ فَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّكُمْ غَيْرُ مُعْجِزِى ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
And [it is] an announcement from Allāh and His Messenger to the people on the day of the greater pilgrimage that Allāh is disassociated from the disbelievers, and [so is] His Messenger. So if you repent, that is best for you; but if you turn away - then know that you will not cause failure to Allāh. And give tidings to those who disbelieve of a painful punishment.
فَلْيَضْحَكُوا۟ قَلِيلًا وَلْيَبْكُوا۟ كَثِيرًا جَزَآءًۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ
So let them laugh a little and [then] weep much as recompense for what they used to earn.
وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُضِلَّ قَوْمًۢا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَىٰهُمْ حَتَّىٰ يُبَيِّنَ لَهُم مَّا يَتَّقُونَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
And Allāh would not let a people stray after He has guided them until He makes clear to them what they should avoid. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing of all things.