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Surah: At-Tawbah (113)
Seeking Forgiveness for Polytheists — Ibrahim's Disavowal & Graves of Polytheists
مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِيِّ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَن يَسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ لِلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ
— التوبة الآية 113
Occasion of Revelation (Sahih — Agreed Upon):
Two authentic narrations:
First (Bukhari & Muslim): The Prophet ﷺ sought permission to visit his mother Amina's grave. He was permitted to visit but not to seek forgiveness for her. So the verse was revealed.
Second (Muslim): When Abu Talib was dying, the Prophet urged him to say the shahada. He refused. The Prophet said: "I will seek forgiveness for you as long as I am not forbidden." Then the verse was revealed.
Significance:
Two authentic narrations:
First (Bukhari & Muslim): The Prophet ﷺ sought permission to visit his mother Amina's grave. He was permitted to visit but not to seek forgiveness for her. So the verse was revealed.
Second (Muslim): When Abu Talib was dying, the Prophet urged him to say the shahada. He refused. The Prophet said: "I will seek forgiveness for you as long as I am not forbidden." Then the verse was revealed.
Significance:
- Seeking forgiveness for deceased polytheists is absolutely forbidden
- Strongest proof of the Prophet's love for family — yet human love does not override divine rulings
- Verse 114 explains Ibrahim disavowed his father after his polytheism became clear
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari (1360), Sahih Muslim (976) — Agreed Upon (first narration)
Test Yourself
What did the Prophet ﷺ wish to do for his mother Amina that he was not permitted to do?
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