“I can do nothing for you against Allah”: that is, I cannot ward off Allah’s punishment from you. This statement categorically removes any notion that his intercession could avail them in the least before Allah.
“ʿAbbās, Ṣafiyyah, and Fāṭimah”: these names appear in the nominative because, in the vocative construction, the noun is treated as indeclinable; the accusative is also permissible when the words are construed purely as direct address. “Son,” “aunt,” and “daughter” are in the accusative only, either as substitutes for the person addressed or as explanatory appositions.
“Ask me for whatever you wish of my wealth,” for that alone is within my ability, whereas all matters that rest with Allah are beyond my power.
Overall meaning of the ḥadīth: Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates what the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did when his Lord commanded him in the Noble Book to warn his close relatives. He rose promptly, summoned the various clans of Quraysh, called out to his uncle, his aunt, and his daughter, and issued to them a special warning. He instructed them to save themselves from Allah’s punishment through His oneness and obedience to Him, and informed them that, should they fail to believe, he could not shield them from Allah’s punishment. Mere kinship with him would be of no benefit without faith.
Relevance of the ḥadīth to the chapter: It shows that nothing may be sought from the Messenger—or, a fortiori, from anyone else—except that which lies within human ability in worldly matters. As for what only Allah can accomplish, it must be asked solely of Allah. This ḥadīth therefore refutes the grave-worshippers who appeal to the dead to remove distress and fulfill needs.
Benefits derived from the ḥadīth:
1- A rebuttal of those who worship prophets and the righteous, clinging to created beings to fulfill needs that only Allah can meet.
2- It is impermissible for a person to request from another anything beyond that person’s capability.
3- The Prophet’s ﷺ eagerness to obey his Lord’s command and convey His message.