Tafsir of Al-Mu'minoon 23:94

That is: do not make me their companion in the torment they are experiencing. The manifest noun (the wrongdoing people) is placed in the position of a pronoun to indicate their deserving of the punishment. The invocation is brought before the condition and the result as an expression of the utmost earnestness and supplication. The word "Lord" (Rabb) was chosen because it signifies that He, glory be to Him, is the Owner who watches over the interests and affairs of the servant.

The command to the Prophet (ﷺ) to supplicate with this—despite him being in a state of great protection against being made their companion—is to signify the sheer horror of the promised torment, indicating that it is something of such a nature that even one whom it could hardly ever befall must seek refuge from it. This contains a refutation of their denial of the punishment and their haste in demanding it by way of mockery.

It is said that he (ﷺ) was commanded to do this out of humility for his own soul and to demonstrate the perfection of servitude.

It is also said that this is because the calamity of the disbelievers may befall those other than them, as in the words of the Almighty: {And fear a trial that will not strike those who have wronged among you exclusively}. It is narrated from al-Hasan that the Almighty informed His Prophet (ﷺ) that He has a retribution for his nation, but He did not disclose its timing—whether it would be during his life or after it—so He commanded him with this supplication.

Al-Dahhak and Abu ‘Imran al-Jawni read it as “tur’ini” (instead of “tarjani”), replacing the ya with a hamza. As stated in al-Bahr, this is a weak substitution.