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
لَوْ كَانَ عَرَضًا قَرِيبًا وَسَفَرًا قَاصِدًا لَّٱتَّبَعُوكَ وَلَـٰكِنۢ بَعُدَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلشُّقَّةُ ۚ وَسَيَحْلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ لَوِ ٱسْتَطَعْنَا لَخَرَجْنَا مَعَكُمْ يُهْلِكُونَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَـٰذِبُونَ
Had it been a near [i.e., easy] gain and a moderate trip, they [i.e., the hypocrites] would have followed you, but distant to them was the journey. And they will swear by Allāh, "If we were able, we would have gone forth with you," destroying themselves [through false oaths], and Allāh knows that indeed they are liars.
لَقَدْ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you [i.e., your guidance] and to the believers is kind and merciful.
وَلَا عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا مَآ أَتَوْكَ لِتَحْمِلَهُمْ قُلْتَ لَآ أَجِدُ مَآ أَحْمِلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ تَوَلَّوا۟ وَّأَعْيُنُهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ ٱلدَّمْعِ حَزَنًا أَلَّا يَجِدُوا۟ مَا يُنفِقُونَ
Nor [is there blame] upon those who, when they came to you for you to take them along, you said, "I can find nothing upon which to carry you." They turned back while their eyes overflowed with tears out of grief that they could not find something to spend [for the cause of Allāh].
۞ وَلَوْ أَرَادُوا۟ ٱلْخُرُوجَ لَأَعَدُّوا۟ لَهُۥ عُدَّةً وَلَـٰكِن كَرِهَ ٱللَّهُ ٱنۢبِعَاثَهُمْ فَثَبَّطَهُمْ وَقِيلَ ٱقْعُدُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلْقَـٰعِدِينَ
And if they had intended to go forth, they would have prepared for it [some] preparation. But Allāh disliked their being sent, so He kept them back, and they were told, "Remain [behind] with those who remain."