Can a Muslim make dua and ask forgiveness for non-Muslims?

Sources

• ✓ 9:113 · At-Tawba

  9:113 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall

  مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِىِّ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَن يَسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَلَوْ كَانُوٓا۟ أُو۟لِى قُرْبَىٰ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْجَحِيمِ

  It is not for the Prophet, and those who believe, to pray for the forgiveness of idolaters even though they may be near of kin (to them) after it hath become clear that they are people of hell-fire.

• ✓ Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 9:113

  Sunni

  Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 9:113

  Ibn Kathir explains that this verse (9:113) was revealed in the context of the death of Abu Talib, the Prophet Muhammad's paternal uncle. When Abu Talib was on his deathbed, the Prophet came to him along with Abu Jahl and Abdullah ibn Abi Umayyah, urging him to say the declaration of monotheism: "There is no deity but God," as a word that would benefit him before God. However, Abu Jahl and Abdullah kept persuading Abu Talib to remain firm on the religion of Abdul-Muttalib, his forefather, until Abu Talib responded affirmatively to their urging. The Prophet said he would pray for his forgiveness for whatever was before the prohibition, but was not permitted to pray for him afterward, which led to the revelation of this verse forbidding the Prophet and the believers from seeking forgiveness for polytheists, even close relatives, once it became clear that they would dwell in the Fire. Ibn Kathir also narrates an account involving Ali ibn Abi Talib hearing a man seeking forgiveness for his polytheist parents and asking the Prophet about it. The Prophet mentioned how Abraham sought forgiveness for his father initially, but God later revealed that Abraham’s prayer was only for a promised time, and when it became clear that his father was an enemy of God, Abraham disassociated himself from him. This is cited as the basis for the prohibition in the verse. The commentary contains reports that the Prophet once asked God for permission to seek forgiveness for his mother after her death but was not granted it, leading him to weep out of mercy. He was, however, permitted to visit her grave to remember the hereafter. Umar ibn al-Khattab witnessed the Prophet’s tears over this matter and enquired. The Prophet described how God forbade forgiveness for polytheists even if they were close kin after it becomes clear that they are enemies of God. Ibn Kathir includes accounts of the Prophet visiting graves, talking to the deceased, and weeping, illustrating his humanity and sorrow. Yet these emotions did not contravene the divine command forbidding seeking forgiveness for those who died in disbelief. He also records various scholarly opinions and explanations of the term "Ibrahim lawwah halim" (Abraham was devoted, patient), describing "lawwah" as intense supplication, humility, and persistent prayer. Abraham’s supplication is characterized by merciful patience despite harm and wrongdoing committed against him. Some narrations, regarded as weak or fabricated, suggested that the Prophet’s mother embraced Islam after death or was revived and then returned to disbelief; Ibn Kathir and other scholars reject these based on the Quranic text and consensus. The verse’s warning is clear regarding intercession and forgiveness for polytheists, emphasizing the finality of disbelief after death. Further explanations touch upon the example of Abraham disassociating from his father once it proved he was an enemy to God, which is an authoritative precedent for the ruling. The prohibition is both for the Prophet and all believers and signals a clear boundary between believers and polytheists after evidence becomes manifest. Additional narrations depict the Prophet’s sorrow at the loss of his relatives but also his obedience to divine command, his compassionate inhibition from praying forgiveness for disbelievers, and encouragement that believers should visit graves to remember the afterlife, despite the prohibition on intercession. Overall, Ibn Kathir's tafsir of this verse revolves around the theme that the Prophet and believers are not to seek forgiveness for polytheists after their status as deniers is certain, illustrated by the examples from the Prophet’s life and the precedent of Abraham’s prayers for his father being revoked once his enmity to God was clear.

• ✓ Sunan al-Tirmidhi 47:153

  Sunni Hasan (per Al-Albani)

  Sunan al-Tirmidhi · Book 47, Hadith 153 · Narrated by Ali

  I heard a man seeking forgiveness for his parents while they were polytheists. I asked him: 'Do you seek forgiveness for your parents while they are polytheists?' He said: 'Did not Ibrahim seek forgiveness for his father while he was a polytheist?' I mentioned that to the Prophet (peace be upon him), and then this verse was revealed: "It is not for the Prophet and those who believe to seek forgiveness for the polytheists." (9:113)