Tafsir of At-Tawbah 9:113

"It is not for the Prophet..."

It is said:

(493) The Prophet (ﷺ) said to his uncle, Abu Talib: "You have the greatest right upon me, and you are the best of people in my regard. Say a word [of faith] so that I may intercede for you." He refused. The Prophet then said: "I will continue to seek forgiveness for you as long as I am not forbidden from doing so." Then, this verse was revealed.

It is also said:

(494) When he conquered Mecca, he asked which of his parents was more recent in his memory. It was said: "Your mother, Aminah." He visited her grave at al-Abwa', then stood weeping and said: "I sought permission from my Lord to visit my mother's grave, and He granted it. I sought permission to seek forgiveness for her, and He did not grant it." Then, this verse was revealed. This [account] is more authentic, because the death of Abu Talib occurred before the Hijrah, while this [verse] is among the last to be revealed in Medina.

It is also said:

He sought forgiveness for his father.

It is also said:

(495) The Muslims said: "What prevents us from seeking forgiveness for our fathers and relatives, when Abraham sought forgiveness for his father, and Muhammad seeks forgiveness for his uncle?"

{It is not for the Prophet}—meaning, it is not appropriate for him, according to the judgment and wisdom of God, to seek forgiveness {after it has become clear to them that they are companions of Hellfire}—because they died in a state of polytheism (shirk).

{And the seeking of forgiveness of Abraham for his father was only because of a promise he had made to him. But when it became clear to him that he was an enemy to Allah, he disassociated himself from him. Indeed, Abraham was compassionate and patient.}