Volume 5, Book 58, Number 223:
Narrated Al-Musaiyab:
When Abu Talib was in his death bed, the Prophet went to him while Abu Jahl was sitting beside
him. The Prophet said, “O my uncle! Say: None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, an ex –
pression I will defend your case with, before Allah.” Abu Jahl and ‘Abdullah bin Umaya said, “O Abu
Talib! Will you leave the religion of ‘Abdul Muttalib?” So they kept on saying this to him so that the
last statement he said to them (before he died) was: “I am on the religion of ‘Abdul Muttalib.” Then
the Prophet said, ” I will keep on asking for Allah’s Forgiveness for you unless I am forbidden to do
so.” Then the following Verse was revealed:–
Volume 5 – 909 / 1700
SAHIH BUKHARI VOLUME 5 > BOOK 58: MERITS OF THE HELPERS IN MADINAH (ANSAAR)
“It is not fitting for the Prophet and the believers to ask Allah’s Forgiveness for the pagans, even if
they were their near relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of the
(Hell) Fire.” (9.113)
The other Verse was also revealed:– “(O Prophet!) Verily, you guide not whom you like, but Allah
guides whom He will …….” (28.56)