Then Allah explained Abraham’s reason, saying:

“Abraham’s prayer for his father’s forgiveness was only because of a promise he had made to him. But when it became clear to him that his father was an enemy of Allah, he disowned him. Indeed, Abraham was tender-hearted and forbearing.”

“Allah would not lead a people astray after guiding them until He had made clear to them what they must avoid.”

It is established in Sahīh al-Bukhārī, on the authority of Abū Hurayra, that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“Abraham will meet his father Āzar on the Day of Resurrection, with Āzar’s face covered in grime and dust. Abraham will say to him, ‘Did I not tell you not to disobey me?’ His father will reply, ‘Today I will not disobey you.’ Abraham will then say, ‘My Lord, You promised me that You would not disgrace me on the Day when people are resurrected. What disgrace could be greater than that of my wretched father?’ Allah, Mighty and Majestic, will say, ‘I have forbidden Paradise to the disbelievers.’ Then Abraham will be told, ‘Look beneath your feet.’ He will look and find a befouled male hyena. It will be seized by its legs and thrown into the Fire.”

Thus, because his father died as a polytheist, Abraham’s seeking forgiveness for him did not benefit him, despite Abraham’s immense standing and rank. Allah, Most High, has said to the believers:

“You have an excellent example in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, ‘We disown you and whatever you worship besides Allah. We reject you, and enmity and hatred have arisen between us and you forever, until you believe in Allah alone’—except for Abraham’s words to his father, ‘I will surely seek forgiveness for you, but I have no power to protect you from Allah in any way.’ Our Lord, in You we put our trust, to You we turn, and to You is the final return.”

“Our Lord, do not make us a trial for those who disbelieve, and forgive us, our Lord. Indeed, You are the Almighty, the All-Wise.”

Allah, Most High, has therefore commanded the believers to follow the example of Abraham and those who followed him, except in Abraham’s words to his father:

“I will surely seek forgiveness for you.”

For Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him.

The same applies to Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—the foremost of all intercessors. In Sahīh Muslim, Abū Hurayra reports that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“I asked my Lord for permission to seek forgiveness for my mother, but He did not permit me. I asked Him for permission to visit her grave, and He permitted me.”

Another narration relates: “The Prophet