47/10. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 3101 — Seeking Forgiveness Within Faith Boundaries
Regarding Surat At-Tawbah
Hadith About Seeking Forgiveness for Idolaters
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 3101
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 3101
حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ أَبِي الْخَلِيلِ، كُوفِيٌّ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَجُلاً، يَسْتَغْفِرُ لأَبَوَيْهِ وَهُمَا مُشْرِكَانِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَتَسْتَغْفِرُ لأَبَوَيْكَ وَهُمَا مُشْرِكَانِ . فَقَالَ أَوَلَيْسَ اسْتَغْفَرَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ لأَبِيهِ وَهُوَ مُشْرِكٌ فَذَكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَنَزَلَتْ : ( مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِيِّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرُوا لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ ) . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ .
'Ali Narrated from:
I Heard A Man Seeking Forgiveness For His Parents Who Were Idolaters, So I Said To Him: 'You Seek Forgiveness For Your Parents While They Are Idolaters?' He Said: 'Did Ibrahim Not Seek Forgiveness For His Father, And He Was An Idolater?' So I Mentioned That To The Prophet (ﷺ) And (The Following) Was Revealed:It Is Not For The Prophet Nor Those Who Believe, That They Should Seek Forgiveness For The Idolaters (9:113).
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3101In-book reference : Book 47, Hadith 153English translation : Vol. 5, Book 44, Hadith 3101
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 3101
This Hadith about seeking forgiveness for idolaters focuses on a clear limit mentioned in the revealed verse. Ali heard a man asking forgiveness for his parents while they were idolaters. When the man used Ibrahim's earlier request for his father as a reason, Ali brought the matter to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. Then the verse was revealed: it is not for the Prophet or the believers to seek forgiveness for idolaters. The main lesson is not a general discussion about parents or kindness. It is about istighfar, shirk, and following Allah's revealed guidance even when family feelings are strong. The Hadith teaches that worship and dua must stay within what Allah has allowed.
What we learn from this hadith
- Seeking forgiveness is an act of worship and must follow revealed guidance.
- Love for parents does not override the limit stated in the verse.
- A question about religious practice should be referred back to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and revelation.
- The Hadith separates emotional family ties from the specific ruling of asking forgiveness for idolaters.
