Sunan an-Nasa’i: Book 21, Hadith 218
It was narrated from Sa’eed bin Al-Musayyab that his father said: “When Abu Talib was dying, the Prophet came to him and found Abu Jahl and ‘Abdullah bin Abi Umayyah with him. He said: ‘O uncle, say La ilaha illallah(there is none worthy of worship except Allah), a word with which I will defend you before Allah.’ Abu Jahl and ‘Abdullah bin Abi Umayyah said: ‘O Abu Talib, are you turning away from 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 was revealed: It is not (proper) for the Prophet and those who believe to ask Allah’s forgiveness for the idolaters. And the following was revealed: Verily, you (O Muhammad) guide not whom you like.”
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، – وَهُوَ ابْنُ ثَوْرٍ – عَنْ مَعْمَرٍ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ : لَمَّا حَضَرَتْ أَبَا طَالِبٍ الْوَفَاةُ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَعِنْدَهُ أَبُو جَهْلٍ وَعَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أَبِي أُمَيَّةَ فَقَالَ : ” أَىْ عَمِّ قُلْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ كَلِمَةً أُحَاجُّ لَكَ بِهَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ” . فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَهْلٍ وَعَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أَبِي أُمَيَّةَ : يَا أَبَا طَالِبٍ أَتَرْغَبُ عَنْ مِلَّةِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ . فَلَمْ يَزَالاَ يُكَلِّمَانِهِ حَتَّى كَانَ آخِرُ شَىْءٍ كَلَّمَهُمْ بِهِ عَلَى مِلَّةِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ . فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم : ” لأَسْتَغْفِرَنَّ لَكَ مَا لَمْ أُنْهَ عَنْكَ ” . فَنَزَلَتْ { مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِيِّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرُوا لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ } وَنَزَلَتْ { إِنَّكَ لاَ تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ } .
Sunan an-Nasa’i: Book 21, Hadith 218
The above hadith is from the Sunan an-Nasa’i collection of hadiths. Within the pantheon of Sunni Islamic hadith collections, the Sunan an-Nasa’i occupies a privileged position as one of the six canonical works. This impressive compilation was the achievement of the 9th century scholar Ahmad ibn Shu’ayb al-Nasa’i, who was renowned for his profound knowledge of prophetic traditions. The book assembles more than 5,700 narrations covering the full range of the Prophet’s Sunnah. Imam al-Nasa’i distinguished his work through a famously rigorous and selective process, choosing to include only those narrations that met his strict standards of authenticity while rejecting those that were dubious. This has resulted in a collection held in the highest regard for its accuracy.
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For more Hadith in Book 21: The Book of Funerals