The saying of the Exalted: “It is not for the Prophet or for those who believe to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they are close relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are companions of the Fire.”
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The questioner : How do we reconcile this hadith, which is Meccan, with the Messenger’s (peace and blessings be upon him) seeking permission from his Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, to ask forgiveness for his mother after the revelation of the verse [At-Tawbah 9:113] ...?
The Shaykh : The matter is clear. When the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) learned that Allah had lightened the punishment of Abu Talib through his intercession, he sought permission from Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, to ask forgiveness for his mother, hoping that He might lighten her punishment as well. But Allah did not grant him permission. This also indicates that kinship is not a consideration in this regard; otherwise, one might argue that lightening the punishment of the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) mother is more deserving than lightening that of his uncle. However, his mother did not have what his uncle had, or what was done by his uncle.
It is not for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives
ما كان للنبي والذين آمنوا أن يستغفروا للمشركين ولو كانوا أولي قربىThe Shaykh : The matter is clear. When the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) learned that Allah had lightened the punishment of Abu Talib through his intercession, he sought permission from Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, to ask forgiveness for his mother, hoping that He might lighten her punishment as well. But Allah did not grant him permission. This also indicates that kinship is not a consideration in this regard; otherwise, one might argue that lightening the punishment of the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) mother is more deserving than lightening that of his uncle. However, his mother did not have what his uncle had, or what was done by his uncle.